Welcome the the former Orphanage run by the nuns of St John the Baptist. Opened in 1853 and extended in 1893 this orphanage cared for girls within the age ranges of 7-11 and 12-14.
The Sisters were keen to make it known that St John's Home was set up to help provide a 'family environment' and was not designed to be an institution. Nor was it to care for the children of the 'fallen women' housed in the convent next door. The orphans were believed to have enjoyed their time, at the orphanage, as many wrote letters to the sisters after they had left and came back to visit.
According to descriptions of the time, children were taught by the nuns in the schoolroom on the ground floor. The children and nuns slept up stairs in the dormitories which can clearly be seen from the road with further accommodation above for the sisters.
Mass was said in the orphanage chapel twice daily and in addition to this was the 'Sisters Hour at which the children were not present'!
The addition of the East Wing in 1893 provided further classrooms and a community room and additional accommodation for sisters was provided on the top floor. This extension also included a bakery and indoor toilets and washrooms.