The influential religious leader, who spent years tirelessly campaigning for civil rights in South Africa, was at the Community of the Resurrection last Saturday.

He blessed the stone and spoke to young people considering a career in the church before leading a service, which featured gospel singers, at Christ the King church next door.

Bishop Tutu said: "I'm glad they are doing this (building the new monastery) as I know they will do it well. Whatever they do, they do well.

"They have played an incredible role in the life of the church in southern Africa.

"I am just one of those greatly influenced by the Community of the Resurrection and the role that I may have played in our struggle against apartheid would not have happened without the training that I had, brought by the Community of the Resurrection."

The 78-year-old archbishop was inspired to join the priesthood by the late Trevor Huddleston, a community brother who worked as a priest in a Johannesburg slum where he grew up.

Community superior Father George Guiver told the Archbishop: "We are extremely proud of the small part we played as a community in you becoming the person you are and we are also immensely proud of the part we played with you in the struggle for a just society in South Africa.

"As we lay this stone we are looking forward to continuing in that spirit."

The community's plans include an eco-friendly monastery with a grass-covered roof as well as restoration of the 98-year-old church, with new wiring, underfloor heating, new lighting, sound system, structural repairs and disabled access.