Croydon, 1874-2011

In 1874 the Bermondsey Community took over the administration of the Industrial School for Girls in Torrington Lodge, High Street, Eltham, which became known as St Mary’s. Due to various reasons, in 1886 the school was transferred to Wellesley Road, West Croydon where it became known as the Ave Maria Approved School (St Mary’s being the local parish school in Croydon). Sister M. Winifred Furlong was appointed Local Superior of the group of Sisters who on 24 September 1886 established the first Convent of Mercy in Croydon. The school and convent shared a building and was situated opposite St Mary’s Church. The school had an Auxiliary Home in South Norwood where girls went for further training. In 1888, the Sisters took over the running of St Mary’s Mixed and Infants Schools, situated behind St Mary’s Church. St Mary’s Secondary Modern School opened in September 1955 and new separate Infant and Junior Schools were opened in 1966 in Bedford Park. In 1945, it was decided that Ave Maria School would return to Eltham, which left the Croydon Sisters homeless since the convent had formed a part of the building in Wellesley Road. Thanks to accommodation with the Ladies of Mary at ‘Bethany’, number 4 Tavistock Road, the Sisters were able to continue their apostolates without interruption, and 23 Tavistock Road was purchased for them in 1956. When the Sisters retired from the parish schools in 1968, it was decided that the convent should be made available as a Hostel where the more responsible girls from Ave Maria School, Eltham, would be offered the opportunity to prepare for taking their place in society. Number 21, attached to 23, was purchased and accommodation for ten girls and staff was made available. In 1982, following the National Policy of the Home Office regarding Approved/Community Schools, Ave Maria School (Eltham) was phased out and as a direct consequence numbers 21-23 Tavistock Road (Croydon) ceased to be a Hostel and returned to being a convent. The Croydon convent was designated House of First Formation for the Bermondsey Congregation. The formation of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy, within which Croydon became an autonomous house and no longer a branch house of Bermondsey, saw changes in personnel. The Sisters of Croydon continued to be involved with a wide range of parish activities. Number 21 was adapted for Respite Care for people recommended by Communities in any part of the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy. Due to a lack of vocations, Croydon Convent of Mercy closed in 2011 and the Sisters moved to other communities throughout the Institute.