St Christopher’s Home for Little Children was established by Anglican Diocese of Newcastle in 1928, with they day to day operations of the Home initially overseen by the Sisters of the Community of the Holy Name in 1928. It was located at Lochinvar in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales in a house called Clifton. It housed children aged one to six. In 1937 the Church Army took over day to day operations until 1958, after which time staffing was provided direct by the Diocese. St Christopher’s Home moved to Taree in 1956. It closed in 1978.
The house Clifton was given to the Newcastle Diocese in 1927 by Mr Ernest Clift for use in connection with the work for children, together with an endowment of £300 per annum.
St Christopher’s Home for Little Children was officially opened on 1 December 1928, but was open to receive children from 1 September of that year. Children were aged from birth to six years. Once they reached the age of six boys were sent to St Alban’s Boys’ Home and girls were sent to St Elizabeth’s Girls’ Home.
In 1938 an Aboriginal woman, Muriel Stanley, was brought to St Christopher’s from Yarrabah Mission in Central Australia to train as a Church Army sister.
St Christopher’s was relocated to new premises at Taree, which were officially opened on 18 March 1956. The Home at Taree closed on 31 December 1978.
From
1928
To
1978
Alternative Names
St Christopher's Home for Infants
St Christopher's Babies Home
Clifton
St Christopher's Home for Children
1928 - 1956
St Christopher's Home for Little Children was situated adjacent to Lochinvar Station, Lochinvar, New South Wales (Building Still standing)
1956 - 1978
St Christopher's Home for Little Children was situated at Taree, New South Wales (Building Unknown)
