[1] Edward Twells, the first bishop of Bloemfontein, had called for the establishment of a missionary brotherhood in 1865.
In response, Henry Beckett left England for the Orange Free State in July 1867, with seven young men who would be the founding members of the Brotherhood of St Augustine of Hippo.
The Brotherhood thus established itself initially at Springfield near Bloemfontein, starting its missionary work at Thaba Nchu.
Three of the group of seven fell away before the Brotherhood finally occupied Modderpoort in the autumn of 1869.
A priory and a sandstone chapel dedicated to St Augustine of Hippo were built by the brothers.