Our Story
Our Story
ADM began 130 years ago when an Anglican Minister and his wife, Rev. Mervyn and Martha Archdall, set aside a quarter of his stipend for the equipping of Christian women. The Archdalls set up a lay order, the “deaconesses”, modelled on a similar order in Germany, and in 1891 ADM was born.
Through prayer and partnership, sacrificial serving and giving, our work grew from small beginnings over many years to include hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Always at the centre has been a foundation built on Jesus Christ and serving him.
As our society has changed over the years, so has the shape of ADM’s work. ADM continues our legacy through a diverse range of innovative programs for Christian women, to see them equipped and encouraged for gospel work in its broadest sense.
As a Christian organisation, our highest priority is to see people come to know Christ and grow in him. NCLS Research tells us that 60% of the Australian church is female. At ADM, we work to see every Christian woman using their gifts so that God’s kingdom would grow across Australia and the world. We are committed to seeing women growing in Christ, being built up as they serve the Lord and being provided with the resources they need to reach the world for Jesus.
ADM is proudly a member organisation, with members drawn from a diverse range of settings and interests. All our members share a common desire to see women equipped and encouraged to serve Christ and his Church.
The Deaconesses
The Deaconesses
ADM stands on a legacy of inspiring women who lived out the Word of God in practical ways.
Deaconesses reached out into their communities with the love of Jesus as they served in churches, hospitals, schools and children’s homes, and as missionaries both in Australia and overseas. Their ministry work included teaching, encouraging, caring and training. The last deaconess was set apart in 1991, after the role of deacon was opened to women in 1989. Our deaconesses leave us a legacy of sacrificial service and ministry.
The Rev. Mervyn Archdall and his wife Martha were the founders of the Deaconess Institution ministry in Australia, which was modelled on similar work in Germany and England. In 1885, the Sydney Anglican Diocesan Synod passed ‘a resolution in favour of deaconess work’ (2) and the first Australian ordination of an overseas-trained deaconess, Mary Schleicher, was celebrated in Sydney the following year. While five deaconesses were already at work in Sydney, the idea of operating a training home to equip women to become deaconesses took shape (2). On 17 August 1891, only five years after the first deaconess ordination, ‘Bethany’, a deaconess training school, opened in Balmain. This training school was located in the Archdall's Balmain rectory, with Deaconess Menia Maspero as the first superintendent.
‘Mrs Archdall was content to take up teaching and her equally devoted husband cheerfully surrendered one-fourth of his income that Sydney might have the benefit of a suitably trained body of Christian women workers. Men and women who can thus spend themselves and their possessions for the work of God have always accomplished great things in the world of service.‘ (3)
“Honour her for all that her hands have done.”
Deaconesses worked in parishes – visiting people in their homes, visiting and nursing the sick, teaching at Sunday Schools and Scripture in schools and conducting evangelistic meetings, amongst other activities. Read stories from the lives of our Deaconesses in Deaconess Stories below.
(1) Source: The Vision Unfolding. Deaconess Institution 1891-1991
(2) ibid
(3) ibid
In April 2018, many of our remaining deaconesses, along with several female deacons, joined together at ADM for lunch and a time of prayer and sharing. On that day, we asked them to share their advice for the next generation of Christian women, based on their experiences in ministry:
“In everything, give thanks to the Lord who has called you to ministry, because the Lord is a faithful Lord, friend, teacher, provider. He cares and he will supply all your needs as you serve him faithfully with joy.”
“Always be listening to what God might want you to do. Walk every day listening to his voice, reading his word and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. The opportunity will come up at the right time. Know that God is sovereign. Trust God and he will fulfil his purpose for you. ”
“Commit your life to Christ fully, and make sure to ask him what he wants you to do with your life. There is always something that God wants you to do that could be very special. Work hard at finding out what that is. ”
Celebrating our deaconesses at a lunch at ADM in April 2018. Seated L-R: Dss. Doreen Garrick, Dss. Joan Egan, Rev. Kay Clark and Rev. Clare Percival. Standing L-R: Rev. Gillian Jones, Rev. Jacinth Myles, Rev. Sandra Salmon, Rev. Kerrie Newmarch and Rev. Lay Kum Ho.
Some of our deaconesses at the 125th celebration of ADM in 2016.
Deaconess Stories
Deaconess Stories
Discover the lives and experiences of our past and current Deaconesses
Honouring Sydney’s longest serving deaconess
Deaconess Dorothy Black (nee Lennox) was motivated throughout her 70 years of service by a desire to learn, to know God and be known by God and bring others under the sound of the gospel of grace.
The Kindness of Jean Standfield
Our Last Head Deaconess remembered.
Have wheels ... will travel
Read Eternity News’ story of Bush Church Aid’s Van Missioners, sent out to regional, remote and rural Australia to reach people with the lifesaving message of Jesus Christ. In March 1926, Deaconesses Grace Syms and Madeline de Labilliere became the first women to leave Sydney in the Women’s Van.
A Bond of Union and Sympathy
100 Years Ago, Deaconesses battled the Influenza epidemic
Deaconess Jean Hughes remembered
Beneath the David Jones jacket, the pearls, the neatly permed hair and the White Linen perfume, was a highly intelligent, very organised, very caring woman, always one step ahead, with a great love of family, community and a deep Christian faith.
Not sinless perfection, but a faithful servant: Pat Nelson
From the slums of Surry Hills to a prestigious North Shore school, Pat Nelson took on a number of challenges in her ministry. But God was not only working through her but in her, as he humbled her heart and led her closer to him.
Pranks, laughter and service: Deaconess Doreen Garrick
From spirited, mischievous college girl to dedicated, energetic deaconess, Doreen Garrick’s heart for the lost and vigour for the gospel has always been central to her identity. Her story reflects how God can work through the most ordinary moments and smallest decisions of our lives to bring about his glory.
A Global Ministry of Love: Deaconess Elaine Doust
1956 was a turning point for Elaine as she embarked on a life-time decision to serve the community that would take her around the globe in Christ-centred service.
Using hardship for God's glory: Lynn Gigg
“She had all the boys scared stiff, but she was a great example to me, as a courageous person who stood firm for the Gospel in an unfriendly environment,” Rev. Tyndall said. “Lynn was prepared to take on high school boys for the opportunity to tell them how to get to heaven.”
Deaconess Doreen Garrick
Dss Doreen Garrick is honoured with a local achievement award.
Who Was Mary Andrews?
ADM and our theological college, Mary Andrews College, stand on a legacy of inspiring women – one of whom is Mary Andrews herself. This courageous pioneer sets an example for women of faith today.