Ernest Stevens was a wealthy manufacturer who was born in Lye in 1867. Ernest’s wife, Mary, was born in Quarry Bank in 1869. They married in 1895 in Christ’s Church, Quarry Bank. While Ernest built his successful business, Mary devoted her life to helping those that were unable to help themselves – in particular children and disadvantaged women.
In 1925 Mary Stevens died and her husband Ernest purchased Whitehall with its 10 acres of land in Pedmore. He demolished its buildings and built a Maternity Home, named after his wife, which in 1931 was given by Deed of Gift to the Borough of Stourbridge who became its Trustees.
From then until its closure in December 1984, mothers from Stourbridge and the surrounding Districts came to have their babies at The Mary Stevens Maternity Home.
1986 the Mary Stevens Hospice was registered as a Charitable Trust No. 517656 with the objective of establishing a Day Unit to care for the terminally ill within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley and the surrounding districts.
The Day Care Unit was opened to receive patients in November 1991 and was officially opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in March 1992.
Ernest Steven’s made a number of gifts to the people of Stourbridge and its surrounding areas:
– Mary Stevens Park
– Mary Stevens Maternity Home
– Stevens Park, Wollescote
– War Memorial Sports Ground, Amblecote
– Mount Pleasant Methodist Church, Quarry Bank
– St Mary’s, Oldswinford Gates and extension
– Quarry Bank Peace Memorial
– Stevens Park, Quarry Bank
– Haden Hill House, Old Hill
– Carlisle Hall, Stourbridge
– Elmley Castle, Worcestershire