St John's Theological College, Perth

The second Bishop of Perth was Henry Hutton Parry, from 1876 to 1893. Parry wished to establish a theological college. At some point between his installation in Perth in 1876 and 1881, he opened his home to four theological students, whom he instructed, with a view to ordination.^[1] These efforts appear to have petered out.

Parry's successor as Bishop of Perth (first Archbishop from 1914) was Charles Owen Leaver Riley (1894-1929). A priest in the diocese, Charles Lefroy, was instrumental in persuading Riley of the need for a theological college.^[2] In 1898 the Perth diocesan synod resolved to establish a theological college, and the Clergy Training College was opened the following year with Lefroy as Principal and with two students.^[2]

The college took up occupation of part of The Cloisters, and in 1909 changed its name to St John's Theological College.^[2]

At the outbreak of war in 1914, the college closed, as all of the students enlisted.^[3] At that point The Cloisters was converted into a hostel for undergraduates of the University of Western Australia.^[3] In 1919 a new college council was formed, and a new Principal appointed in 1920.^[3] At that point the college moved to Beaufort Street in Highgate.^[4] In 1922 there was a concerted effort for fundraising,^[3] but by 1926 there were no students at St John's, and a decision was taken to close.^[5] The intention was that it be replaced by St George's College, along the lines of Trinity College, Melbourne and Trinity College Theological School: a residential college within a university but which also offered theological education for ordinands.^[6] Although St George's was opened, and remains a residential college of UWA, it never offered theological education.^[6]

Training for ordination recommenced in Perth in 1957, with the establishment of Wollaston College.