Erection date: 30/10/1897
St Stephens National Schools
MA Girls entrance DG
These schools built by the self denial of church people were opened by the Right Reverend Mandell Creighton DD, Lord Bishop of London, on the thirtieth day of October 1897, being dedicated for ever to the cause of education based on the definite teaching of the religion of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ who said 'Feed my lambs' St John 21.15.
{On the lower grey plaque:}
QVOD NOSTRAE IVVENTVTI
CVM BONIS STVDIIS TVM CHRISTIANA FIDE INSTITVENDAE
FELICITER VORTAT
LAPIDEM HVNC PRIMARIVM SCHOLAE S STEPH
POSVIT
HELENA PRINCIPISSA D DE ALBANY
DIE XXVII IVN DCCCXCVI
{Which translates as:}
Princess Helena, Duchess of Albany, laid this first stone of St Stephen’s School on 27th June 1896 for the instruction of our young people. May it go well and with great enthusiasm, especially in the teaching of the Christian faith.
We thank our tireless Latin consultant, David Hopkins, for his work here.
Site: St Stephen's School, W2 (2 memorials)
W2, Westbourne Park Road
The school was founded and largely paid for by John Brooks, the father of Gothic architect James Brooks (1825–1901). One might expect a benefactor to chose his own son as architect for the work, though we can find no confirmation that this was the case here.
Saint Stephen's National School was opened in 1859 for mixed juniors and infants. Building enlarged 1897. In 1903 it had accommodation for 866 pupils. Architect Arthur Thomas Bolton was responsible for various additions to St Stephen's National Schools.
The 1856 construction of St Stephens church (nearby to the south east) was partly funded by the incumbent, the Rev. H. W. Brooks - who, it would seem likely, may be related to John and James Brooks.
Sources: Historic England (has a photo of the interior), St Stephens, Aim25, Westminster (downloads a pdf), The Victorian Web, ODNB.
St Stephen's church itself is just 2 streets away to the south-east.
Both plaques prominently carry the monograms MA (or AM) and DG (or GD) but we cannot explain them.
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