In 1978, the Astor family sold the house and parts of the grounds, and it came into ownership of a property developer in 1979.
After months of torrential rain that hindered work, the house was sold in 1980 to The New Era Centre, a non-profit charity established by Dr Fred Blum in 1967.
During his lifetime, Blum became a member of the Quakers, whilst maintaining his Jewish heritage.
In 1963, Blum resigned from his academic posts in the United States and pursued a future based in the United Kingdom.
In 1969, he met Bishop Stephen Verney at a conference in Coventry where Verney was doing reconciliation work.
They became friends, “like brothers”, and Verney became a trustee and significant supporter and contributor to the creation and work of The New Era Centre at The Abbey, which became a registered charity on 20 December 1979.
Verney was a well-connected individual, and frequently communicated with the politician Roy Jenkins.
The residential community of The New Era Centre in The Abbey was dedicated on 4 October 1981 as a space to explore and work towards the synthesis of Christianity and more contemporary understandings of societal transformation.
In 1984, after The Abbey was improved to a habitable state, the first two resident community members moved in.
Stephen Verney extensively discussed, and believed in, the role Buddhist practice and philosophy could play in increasing connectivity with a Christian deity, and it was this belief which led many of The New Era Centre’s early pursuits.
Blum spent decades researching, interviewing and publishing on Mahatma Gandhi’s life works and legacy.
So too did The Abbey welcome Indian thinkers, such as the social activist and spiritual leader Vimala Thakar who, in the 1980s, led a seminar here.
Among the earliest events taking place at The Abbey was the annual Gandhi Foundation Summer School that continued to be held there.
Verney retired in 1985 and Blum died in January 1990.
Much of Blum's work can now be found in The Abbey's library.

Twentieth-century landowners had to contend with various states of disrepair, and few have had either the capital or the will to sustain the business.
Upon the purchase of The Abbey by The New Era Centre in 1980, a monumental effort was required to source volunteer labour, both locally and from abroad.
Sourcing funding was difficult, and some potential investors remained unconvinced that the founders high ideals could lead to anything other than a misuse of funds.
However, Blum and Verney remained committed to their project, disputing each critical point.
Much of the work was carried out in a co-operative form, such as the 'work camp' of 1981, a community of enthusiastic volunteers.
Volunteers from organisations such as WWOOF UK and HelpX still play a vital role in keeping The Abbey alive.

In August 1991, the charity was re-named 'The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay'.
Rooted in the Christian tradition yet open to other faiths, The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay is to this day home to a small resident community and serves as a spiritual retreat and conference centre.
Around 2006, communal worship moved from group prayers to group meditation and since 2007 concerts have been hosted here as well.
In 2008, The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay launched its own website and in 2019 a history research project started as part of its 40th Anniversary Programme.
In 1978, the Astor family sold the house and parts of the grounds, and it came into ownership of a property developer in 1979. After months of torrential rain that hindered work, the house was sold in 1980 to The New Era Centre, a non-profit charity established by Dr Fred Blum in 1967. During his lifetime, Blum became a member of the Quakers, whilst maintaining his Jewish heritage. In 1963, Blum resigned from his academic posts in the United States and pursued a future based in the United Kingdom. In 1969, he met Bishop Stephen Verney at a conference in Coventry where Verney was doing reconciliation work. They became friends, “like brothers”, and Verney became a trustee and significant supporter and contributor to the creation and work of The New Era Centre at The Abbey, which became a registered charity on 20 December 1979. Verney was a well-connected individual, and frequently communicated with the politician Roy Jenkins. The residential community of The New Era Centre in The Abbey was dedicated on 4 October 1981 as a space to explore and work towards the synthesis of Christianity and more contemporary understandings of societal transformation. In 1984, after The Abbey was improved to a habitable state, the first two resident community members moved in. Stephen Verney extensively discussed, and believed in, the role Buddhist practice and philosophy could play in increasing connectivity with a Christian deity, and it was this belief which led many of The New Era Centre’s early pursuits. Blum spent decades researching, interviewing and publishing on Mahatma Gandhi’s life works and legacy. So too did The Abbey welcome Indian thinkers, such as the social activist and spiritual leader Vimala Thakar who, in the 1980s, led a seminar here. Among the earliest events taking place at The Abbey was the annual Gandhi Foundation Summer School that continued to be held there. Verney retired in 1985 and Blum died in January 1990. Much of Blum's work can now be found in The Abbey's library.
Twentieth-century landowners had to contend with various states of disrepair, and few have had either the capital or the will to sustain the business. Upon the purchase of The Abbey by The New Era Centre in 1980, a monumental effort was required to source volunteer labour, both locally and from abroad. Sourcing funding was difficult, and some potential investors remained unconvinced that the founders high ideals could lead to anything other than a misuse of funds. However, Blum and Verney remained committed to their project, disputing each critical point. Much of the work was carried out in a co-operative form, such as the 'work camp' of 1981, a community of enthusiastic volunteers. Volunteers from organisations such as WWOOF UK and HelpX still play a vital role in keeping The Abbey alive.
In August 1991, the charity was re-named 'The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay'. Rooted in the Christian tradition yet open to other faiths, The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay is to this day home to a small resident community and serves as a spiritual retreat and conference centre. Around 2006, communal worship moved from group prayers to group meditation and since 2007 concerts have been hosted here as well. In 2008, The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay launched its own website and in 2019 a history research project started as part of its 40th Anniversary Programme.
The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay