The Society was founded in Paris in 1800, just a few years after the French Revolution. Our foundress, Madeleine Sophie Barat came from a small town called Joigny, and  you can read about her life and origins below.

The Society came to England in 1842. Over the decades various communities have opened and closed, but we have maintained a longstanding presence in a few places, and their stories are recounted here.

Our Provincial Archivist is Barbara Vesey; she can be contacted on

You can read about her here...

Joigny

St Madeleine Sophie Barat

Roehampton

The Sacred Heart Chapel

Hammersmith

Sacred Heart Education in Fenham, Newcastle

Llannerchwen (opens in another site)