The Community of St Mary the Virgin was founded in 1848 by William John Butler, then Vicar of Wantage in Oxfordshire. It remains one of the oldest surviving Religious Communities in the Church of England. The main Convent is located at Wantage and there is a Community house at Smethwick in the West Midlands. 

CSMV Sisters are called to respond to their vocation in the spirit of Mary, Mother of Jesus: "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word". The common life is centred in the worship of God through the Eucharist, the Daily Office and in personal prayer. From these all else flows. 

The Community also concentrates on engaging in spiritual direction and in leading retreats and day groups, who are welcome to visit and stay at Wantage and to have quiet days at Smethwick .

Through "Wantage Overseas" the Community maintains links with projects in Botswana, India and South Africa, these being periodically reported in the "Wantage Overseas Review". 

There is an active network of CSMV Associates and Oblates, in the UK and overseas, who adhere to a Rule of Life and who endeavour to live out the charism of the Community wherever they are in the world.