The first monastic community of 17 monks was founded in September 1933 in the property formerly known as "Paddockhurst", near Turners Hill village, by Abbot John Chapman of Downside.
[3] In 1968, a missionary connection with Peru began when monks from Worth built a farm and mission in the remote Apurimac valley, while in Lima they founded a monastery, a large parish and a health centre.
[5] Between 1983 and 1990, St Peter's, East Dulwich, became the home to an experimental urban monastic community jointly founded by Worth Abbey and the Anglican Diocese of Southwark.
It was dedicated to "Our Lady, Help of Christians", consecrated for worship in 1975, and is today a Grade II listed building of 17,000 square feet seating around 900 people.
[7] In 2011, the monastic community undertook a year-long renovation and refurbishment of the church led by the equally renowned English architect Thomas Heatherwick.
The renovated church featured new lighting and a sound system that facilitated worship, along with newly constructed woodwork.
The lead monk in these programmes was Abbot Christopher Jamison and he would produce a best-selling book series derived from these programmes called "Finding Sanctuary: Monastic steps for Everyday Life" and "Finding Happiness: Monastic Steps for a Fulfilling Life".