Page 72 - Old Ratcliffian Magazine 2019

RATCLIFFE’S PAST

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE: THE START

This year marks the 175th anniversary of the formal opening of the building at Ratcliffe, on
the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when it was given the name of
Calvary House, in honour of the Mother House of Calvario, in Domodossola, Italy (pictured,
right). But why did the Rosminians decide to build Ratcliffe in the fi rst place?
The Order arrived in England in 1835, being one of two new congregations to come to England
at that time – the fi rst since the Reformation era, almost 300 years earlier. Until 1844, it did not
at that time – the fi rst since the Reformation era, almost 300 years earlier. Until 1844, it did not
have a house that it could call its own, and it had nowhere to train new vocations. The solution was
have a house that it could call its own, and it had nowhere to train new vocations. The solution was
to build something. The location chosen was the result of practicality; they found a Protestant
to build something. The location chosen was the result of practicality; they found a Protestant
who would sell some land (not as easy as one might think) to the Rosminians, represented by Fr
who would sell some land (not as easy as one might think) to the Rosminians, represented by Fr
Luigi Gentili. The plot, comprising three fi elds on what was known as Mount Pleasant, ran from
Luigi Gentili. The plot, comprising three fi elds on what was known as Mount Pleasant, ran from
the Fosse (more or less along the outer limits of the present frontage of the main building) and
the Fosse (more or less along the outer limits of the present frontage of the main building) and
ended at the back drive, in the area of the community cemetery. Local Catholic benefactors
ended at the back drive, in the area of the community cemetery. Local Catholic benefactors
helped with the fi nances – notably Lady Mary Arundel and Ambrose March Phillipps de Lisle,
along with a £1,000 contribution from Fr Lockhart’s mother.
The man selected to plan the build was Augustus Welby Pugin, a notable architect of the
period and a Catholic convert; his best-known work today is the interiors of the Houses of
Parliament. He had a plan ready to hand, which was his failed scheme for the rebuilding of
Balliol College, Oxford, with suitable amendments. In the best traditions of Pugin, it was very
grandiose, and he accepted that the project would have to be accomplished in stages.
Work began in May 1843, and the whole thing was completed in just under 18 months. It
was dedicated to Our Lady Immaculate – the fi rst building in England to be dedicated under
that title. It was a very modest construction. Essentially, it comprised a front of about 90 feet,
that title. It was a very modest construction. Essentially, it comprised a front of about 90 feet,
that is from the end of the 1st XI cricket pitch to the end of what is now the administration
offi ce. It was also very shallow – the outside wall on the west (Square) side ran where the arches
outside the Headmaster’s offi ce are now (pictured above, right). The back door can still be seen
from the Lockhart Garden, now inside the ladies’ toilets, opposite the present administration
offi ce (right). It was there that the local impoverished were fed – a tradition that continued
well into the 1990s, until ‘health and safety’ brought an end to that. The chapel was upstairs –
recognisable from the terrace by its arched windows, with a smaller oratory in the tower.
When it opened, it was not clear whether the building would be for novices only, or would also
act as a Catholic college. The fi rst President of the College was to be Fr Moses Furlong, whilst the
head of the religious community was Fr Peter Hutton. However, as there were no lay students,
only novices, the idea of it being a college was shelved, at least for that time.
Of the original building’s interiors, only a limited amount remains. The two staircases at the
Of the original building’s interiors, only a limited amount remains. The two staircases at the
front, by the Headmaster’s and Bursar’s offi ces, are originals. The interior windowsills are also
front, by the Headmaster’s and Bursar’s offi ces, are originals. The interior windowsills are also
original, albeit moved. They are distinctly Pugin, as they are sloped; he did not like people putting
original, albeit moved. They are distinctly Pugin, as they are sloped; he did not like people putting
things on them! There is one very interesting survival, which is the top half of the stained-glass
things on them! There is one very interesting survival, which is the top half of the stained-glass
window in the east end of what is now the Old Library, the College’s second chapel, opened
window in the east end of what is now the Old Library, the College’s second chapel, opened
in 1847. Originally, it was at the north end of the chapel upstairs. There were also a number of
outbuildings and a kitchen garden, which were behind the College and at the tower end. These were demolished and moved within
several years of their construction. That is where matters rested, but it was only a couple of years before the College underwent the fi rst
of many expansions.
Br Nigel Cave (72)

72 The Old Ratcliffi an 2019