Waverley Abbey Trust

Who we are

We are at a critical moment in world history; a moment of profound spiritual, economic and social crisis in the UK and across the world – with opportunity for a radical, spiritual renewal. In the last half of 2022, CWR and 24-7 Prayer came together to create a new vision at Waverley Abbey for such a time of this. 

The 112-acre Waverley Abbey Estate, located about an hour from London, Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, has been a place of prayer since 688 AD and was the site of England’s first Cistercian Abbey. 

CWR was founded by Selwyn Hughes with a simple vision of helping people to spend Every Day with Jesus – to pray and study the Bible every day. In 1985, CWR opened the Waverley Abbey Estate to establish a place of prayer, retreat and a Christian College
to train and equip young leaders. 24-7 Prayer is an international, interdenominational movement of prayer, mission and justice. 24-7 Prayer exists to revive the Church and rewire the culture. Its resources help millions of people and its members from all over the world have been praying non-stop since 1999. 

With its remarkable history of thirteen centuries of prayer, its strategic location on the Prime Meridian, and its 30,000 sq. ft of accommodation, the partnership of CWR and 24-7 Prayer at Waverley Abbey represents a unique opportunity to establish a mission centre and a hub for spiritual and social transformation in the UK and globally. 

We are creating a new Abbey for a new generation. One that will champion encounter with God, through education, engagement and enterprise — for spiritual and cultural renewal for this generation and generations to come.