Book Description

In the late 1800’s Vauxhall located on the banks of the River Thames was an area of depravity. Its population mainly unemployed, were either sick or poverty stricken, desperately in need of both spiritual and medical care. In 1892. A certain Catholic priest. Father. William Francis Brown arrived in Vauxhall. His purpose to start a Catholic Mission to the poor and needy of Vauxhall. Against all odds he built, a school, then his Church, in doing so he created his Parish. His next aim was to establish his Settlement, he purchased a Hall and four houses, during which time Father. Brown was introduced to a Nurse, who had been trained in Midwifery, and Child Welfare, with a character similar to his own and spirit of determination to succeed in administering medical help to the sick and needy. Her name was Miss Grace Gordon Smith. Between them they formed a partnership to provide the spiritual and medical treatment for the poor and needy of his Parish. In 1924, Father Brown was Consecrated a Bishop. Bishop of Pella. His alliance with Grace continued and between them they established an order of Nuns and created the Dames of St. Joan, to forge the way for a service, years ahead of the future National Health Service. In 1935 saw the opening of his Settlement, which included a Youth Club for the boys and girls of his school and those outside his Parish. During the Second World War although bombed twice. The Settlement carried on administering medical care, and the Youth Club never closed. In 1944 Bishop Brown purchased a house in Ashstead Surrey, as a Hostel for the Youth of London to spend a week-end or week, away from the bombings of London. Affectionately known to all members of the Youth Club as: ‘The Bish’ and as ‘Old Pella’ to all the people of South London. His good work was recognised by the Municipal Authorities of Lambeth who named a block of flats in the Lambeth walk. ‘Pella House’. This story is the history of one man’s dream that came to fruition in the establishment of St. Anne’s Roman Catholic Settlement-Youth and Pella Club, from its founding in 1892 to the present day.