St. Gabriels Home & Nursery Training College - History
St. Gabriels Important dates in history
1912. The need for an Orphanage for needy children in
Rhodesia is shown by the fact that 94 children have this year, 1912,
been sent out of the Colony, mostly to Kimberley and Grahamstown. Our
great difficulty is want of funds in these exceptionally bad times.
(This was tl1e year of the serious and prolonged drought).
1913. A great step forward has been made, the opening
of St. Gabriel's Home for destitute European children. The old St.
John's Church with the schoolroom adjoining has been adapted for use of
the children and staff, the Chancel being retained as Chapel. Seventeen
applica tions have already been received. Holy Innocents' Day, December
28th, was chosen as the opening day. A terrific dust storm blowing. Two
children from Livingstone received whose father had been killed by a
lion.
1914. Work goes on in spite of the depression caused by
terrible drought, which seems breaking now. (This was the drought of
1911 to 1914); 26 children now in the Home.
1916. Thirty children now in the Home. Need for
expansion. Hope for a separate infants' department. Stand 306 bought.
1918. The year of the great influenza epidemic. An
influx of children caused through the death of parent or parents with
'flu.
1919. Forty-eight children now in the Home. A donor to
the Home gives a telephone as offering for peace. Took six months to
install as there was a shortage of copper wire! Extra dormitory
accommodation built at a cost of £800, of which £500 was given by the
Beit Trustees. No endowment fund but it is hoped that the Home will be
supported in view of the fact that children sent to the Union of Soutl1
Africa have probably been lost to Rhodesia. November 15th - Sir John
Starr Jameson visited the Home, who promised to plead the cause of the
Home with the Rhodes Trustees.
1920. Fifty-four children now in the Home. Christmas
this Car a revelation of the Low:- th:u in spite of all shadows and
sadness in the world still burns brightly for children. The Freemasons the Christmas dinner, and the S.O.E. the Christmas party.
1921. Visit of the Princess Arthur of Connaught. Numbers
steadily increasing
1922. Foundation Stone hid of the new wing. named the "
Lodge," with Masonic honours. Opened in July by the Mayor, Councillor
James Cowden. Building opened free of Debt.
1924. Sixty children now in the Home. Visit of Princess
Marie Louise and Sir John and Lady Chancellor.
1925. Stand No. 210 bought for Home.
1930. Harker House built costing £5,500. Legacy left
by a Fort Usher farmer named tees.
1931. Beit House built to replace old Church block that
was built in 1894. The Chancel still retained as Chapel of the Home,
which stands to this day as a Memeorial to the early pioneers. Beit
Trustees assisted by paying the balance due on the block. The sum o f
£6,500, was ned. The block opened free of debt. The Foundation Stone of
this block was laid br Sir James McDonald, K.B.E. on February 6th.
1950. The Nursery Block visualiscd in 1916 now to be
built, The Foundation Stone laid in April by Mr. W. R. D. Lewis M.B.E.
Hon Treasurer of the Home since 1914, in the presence of His Excellcny
Sir John Noble Kennedy. K.C. V.O. K.B.E. C.B., M.C. . and Lady Kennedy
1951. Official Opening of the Nursery Block by Lady
Beit in April. This block supplies the need for the care of babies and
toddlers, and used as a Training Centre for Nursery Nurses.
1952. Eighty-six children cared for in the Home.