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A short history of the parish
Famous London Churches (1934)


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A short history of the parish

By Jane Kennedy


Developments in education and social welfare

Shortly after St Matthew's Church had opened, St.  Matthew's School was built immediately adjacent to the church, in St Anne's Street.  There had been a Ragged school in Old Pye Street but this school with a church foundation offered a sound education.   A training college for National school teachers was in Victoria Street. 

The St Andrew's Club was founded in 1866 by a group of architecture students which offered sporting and educational activities for boys which was in direct contrast to the pickpockets' training college!  The Club is still in existence in Old Pye Street and is the oldest club of its kind in the country.

Social improvement continued further with the construction of the Peabody flats or 'model dwellings' as they were known, which were financed by the city merchant and philanthropist, George Peabody.   They are still being used for accommodation today.

Contents

        Introduction
        The Devil's Acre
        Building the church
        The first vicar
 >     Social and educational welfare
        Frank Weston
        Church House
        Early 20th Century
        Post-war developments