Church of England Orphanage (1893 - 1927)

Despite its name, the Church of England Orphanage was not connected with any of the official welfare agencies of the Church of England in Australia. The orphanage was opened due to the relevations of cruelty to, and neglect of children, that had happened in 1892.

From 1893 it was situated in rented premises by Sisters of the Church of England. The orphanage moved to Burwood in 1905.

A former Anglican missionary, Bishop Montagu John Stone-Wigg (1861-1918) moved to Burwood in 1908 and became interested in the Orphanage, creating a committee of local church and business people to place it on a sound financial footing. This committee took over the running of the home from the Community of Sisters of the Church of England.

By 1910 between 40 and 50 children had lived at the Church of England Orphanage.

In 1910 the Orphanage purchased a block of land and in 1912 Lord Chelmsford, the Governor of New South Wales, laid the foundation stone for a Girls Home. This was completed within six months and opened by Archbishop Wright. The Boys Home, located next door, was purchased, renovated and opened by Dame Margaret Davidson in August 1918.

The first president of the Church of England Orphanage was Arthur Yates, who had founded Arthur Yates & Co Ltd, the garden supply company. Stone-Wigg was listed as honorary organising secretary, but died of malaria and other health issues he had contracted in his time in Papua New Guinea in October 1918. His wife remained associated with the Home until the late 1950s.

Most of the supporters of the home were from Burwood and Ashfield. From 1922, the President of the Committee of the home was AW Green, the retired president of the State Children's Relief Department. Green also presided over the Church of England Children's Home, until his death in 1935.

The Church of England Orphanage buildings were described as 'eminently suitable for the work that is being done; there are wide sleeping-out balconies, ample playground areas and necessary accommodation and equipment.'

In 1927 the Homes were incorporated under the Companies Act, with limited liability, as The Church of England Children's Homes, Burwood. This created a new institution.

Location

1905 - 1912

Location - Church of England Orphanage was situated at Minna Street, Burwood.. Location: Burwood

1912 - 1927

Address - Church of England Orphanage Girls' Home was situated at 23 Weldon Street (corner of Wyatt Avenue), Burwood. Location: Burwood

1917 - 1927

Location - Church of England Orphanage Boys' Home was situated on Wyatt Avenue, Burwood. Location: Burwood