House of Mercy
Former clerical institution in the United Kingdom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Houses of Mercy were Anglican institutions that operated from the mid-19th century[1] to the mid-20th.[2] They were to house "fallen women",[3] a term used to imply female sexual promiscuity or work in prostitution. Many women entering were unmarried mothers, an unacceptable situation at that time.[4]
United Kingdom
England
- Bristol: This home[5] was in Ashley Road, Bedminster.[6]
- Stroud: The home was in the village of Bussage.[7]
- Chester: The home was in Lache lane.[8]
- Clewer: The Clewer House of Mercy was at Clewer near Windsor in the county of Berkshire.[9][10] William Henry Hutchings was Warden from 1865 to 1884 when he became rector of Pickering.[11] He was succeeded by Thomas Thellusson Carter.[12]
- Great Maplestead: This was known as the 'St Alban's House of Mercy'.[13]
- Horbury: This home, founded in 1859,[14] was near Wakefield.[15] The home celebrated its Golden jubilee in 1909.[16]
- London: London Diocesan Penitentiary
- Lostwithiel: While chaplain of Bodmin Jail, the Rev. W. F. Everest founded a Cornish home.[17]
- Newcastle upon Tyne: This was in Salters Road, Gosforth.[18]
Wales
South Africa
Notable donors
As an Anglican charity, the homes attracted many notable sponsors, such as
- Catherine Gladstone: She was the wife of four times Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone.[22]
- The Hon Pascoe Charles Glyn: He was a partner in the banking firm of Messrs Glyn, Mills, Currie & co.[23]
- Frances Selby Brodrick: She lived at Eaton Terrace, SW1.[24]
- Fanny Thursby: The widow[25] of The Rev William Ford Thursby, Rector of Bergh Apton.[26]