A good tale from the Birchington Roundabout group
The gift that lasted a hundred years
The story starts in 1866 in London. The charismatic Baptist preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon was speaking during one of his Monday evening prayer meetings at the Metropolitan Tabernacle. He declared:
“We are a huge church, and should be doing more for the Lord.
Let us ask God for some new work to do and the money to do it with”
£20,000 gift
His sermon was later printed in his magazine ‘The Sword and the Trowel' and eventually fell into the hands of a Mrs Anne Hillyard, a wealthy widow living in Islington, London. She wrote to Spurgeon telling him of her desire to found a home for orphans, and to his amazement, she offered him a gift of £20,000 to carry out the work.
He and one of the Tabernacle deacons. Mr. William Higgs, a Stockwell builder, called upon Mrs. Hillyard the next day.
“We have called, madam, about the £200 mentioned in your letter.” Spurgeon said.
“£200 did I write?” she exclaimed. “I meant £20,000!”
“Oh, yes!” replied Spurgeon. ‘You did put £20,000, but I was not sure whether a nought or two had slipped in by mistake, and thought I would be on the safe side.” Furthermore before agreeing to receive this sum Spurgeon sought an assurance that the needs of none of her near relations had been overlooked by the widow and that she had given consideration to the wants of already existing institutions.
A year later, having received many smaller donations, Spurgeon began the process of purchasing a freehold plot of land in Clapham Road; Stockwell.The house was to be called The Stockwell Orphanage.
By 1869 the building was complete. The cost had been just over £10,000 and with no debt or mortgage attached to it. It comprised seven houses, a dinning hall and play hall. Spurgeon was responsible for the design of the building. He felt that a more protective family atmosphere could be created with separate houses, each with it's own matron in charge. More buildings were added later.
New master resigns
The first six children arrived at the Stockwell Orphanage in February 1869, soon followed by seventeen more. But the first few weeks were difficult. The new Master and Matron that had been appointed decided to resign almost immediately. On the day that this news was received, a Mr Charlesworth was present at the home, being an assistant minister at surrey Chapel. He was asked if he would take up the post of the new House Master.
He replied, “ But I am not a Baptist.”
Spurgeon replied with quick with and a twinkle in his eye,
“ And I am not a bigot.”
Charlesworth did take up the post and stayed on for forty-six years! The orphanage survived despite some difficult times, and by 1880 foundation stones were being laid for the building of six new houses, a playroom and swimming baths. For the first time the new intakes would include girls.
Charles Spurgeon died in 1892. His brother James took over as president and subsequently his sons, Thomas and Charles.
Children suffered ill health
A large number of the children who were taken in to the orphanage at Stockwell were suffering from bad health and so it was decided to open a home by the sea where the children could enjoy a holiday and regain their health. Eventually a large house was purchased in Northdown Road, Cliftonville. Mrs James Surgeon ran the house. It was also used as a primary school.
In 1917 the Stockwell Orphanage celebrated its Golden Jubilee at the Queen's Hall in London. To celebrate this event it was decided to establish another seaside home, this time in Birchington. Birchington Hall, which fronted onto the Canterbury Road where Charlesworth Drive is today, was purchased, altered and extended. The house stood in about 40 acres.
During the war the building in Stockwell was bombed and fell into some disrepair. After the war the trustees came to realise that the Home at Stockwell would not be suitable for the children's return.
Boys at play at Spurgeon's - Birchington 1950.
It was therefore decided to develop at Birchington and plans were drawn up for the rebuilding of the entire Home on the forty acres site.
By Easter 1953 the new buildings were occupied and once again the Spurgeon's family were all back in one location. The HRH Duchess of Gloucester visited the Home in June the following year.
Birchington's biggest happy family
In 1963 the Home was being described as Birchington's biggest happy family, with over two hundred boys and girls enjoying the forty acres well maintained lawns adjoining Park road. Children from birth to the age of sixteen were taken in, some staying only on a temporary basis. The Home had a nursery, a chapel, four large kitchens serving the eleven-seperate houses. Each house was in the care of married couples or housemothers. To begin with schooling was provided on site, but in later years children attended local schools. The yearly cost of running the Home in 1963 was approximately £52,000.
The Birch Hill estate now occupies the site and no trace of the happy and loving community remains. However, perhaps a more tangible epitaph to Charles Spurgeon's Home are the thousands of children who were given the chance to live happy and fulfilling lives, after difficult beginnings.
