Holy Moly I Posted Something...
Had a gander round here with Bubblehead and someone who I'm not sure of their username.. Bongo? Maybe... Only a short visit as we were heading toward Derby for the meet and the RI
This place is well documented, and was the goto place at one time, so not much point repeating the history from other reports. Despite living 20 minutes from the place this was my first visit
Hopefully work gets a little better and I can make more of an effort
History
St. Gerard’s Hospital was built as a hospital originally serving the recently established Boys’ Home and all poor Catholic children in the Birmingham Diocese, after it became clear that many of the children in the home were also in poor health due to their backgrounds. The Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society for the Protection of Homeless and Friendless Catholic Children was established in 1902 with Father Hudson as its first Secretary and Administrator.
The work of the Rescue Society grew, in particular the children’s homes. Its expansion included St Vincent’s, a home for working boys in Moseley Road Birmingham, St. Edwards Boys Home, St George’s and St. James’ Cottage Homes for boys and St Gerard’s hospital for children in Coleshill. St. Gerard’s was the result of Father Hudson’s vision for a purpose built infirmary, not just for the boys of St. Edwards but for those from all Catholic homes in the Diocese and the Catholic children from the workhouse hospitals. Designed by Henry Sandy, it opened in 1913. The Hospital was used in the First World War as a VAD hospital for wounded soldiers; after the war it specialised in TB and orthopaedic services and eventually became established as the Warwickshire Orthopaedic Hospital, finally closing in 1988.
Father Hudson’s devotion to the children, his patience, energy and great administrative skills guided this development and the Rescue Society became known colloquially as Father Hudson’s Homes.
Photos
Thanks
Had a gander round here with Bubblehead and someone who I'm not sure of their username.. Bongo? Maybe... Only a short visit as we were heading toward Derby for the meet and the RI
This place is well documented, and was the goto place at one time, so not much point repeating the history from other reports. Despite living 20 minutes from the place this was my first visit
Hopefully work gets a little better and I can make more of an effort History
St. Gerard’s Hospital was built as a hospital originally serving the recently established Boys’ Home and all poor Catholic children in the Birmingham Diocese, after it became clear that many of the children in the home were also in poor health due to their backgrounds. The Birmingham Diocesan Rescue Society for the Protection of Homeless and Friendless Catholic Children was established in 1902 with Father Hudson as its first Secretary and Administrator.
The work of the Rescue Society grew, in particular the children’s homes. Its expansion included St Vincent’s, a home for working boys in Moseley Road Birmingham, St. Edwards Boys Home, St George’s and St. James’ Cottage Homes for boys and St Gerard’s hospital for children in Coleshill. St. Gerard’s was the result of Father Hudson’s vision for a purpose built infirmary, not just for the boys of St. Edwards but for those from all Catholic homes in the Diocese and the Catholic children from the workhouse hospitals. Designed by Henry Sandy, it opened in 1913. The Hospital was used in the First World War as a VAD hospital for wounded soldiers; after the war it specialised in TB and orthopaedic services and eventually became established as the Warwickshire Orthopaedic Hospital, finally closing in 1988.
Father Hudson’s devotion to the children, his patience, energy and great administrative skills guided this development and the Rescue Society became known colloquially as Father Hudson’s Homes.
Photos
Thanks
