Gleanings From The Archives
Full Circle
‘The new Bishop of Rochester (later Archbishop of Canterbury) in 1892 invited Mr Brooke to become a member of the Diocesan Board of Education. As Secretary for the Church Schools Union of Lambeth, Newington and Kennington, he made it the most efficient Union in the diocese.
Side by side with this diocesan work and much wider in its scope was the work Canon Brooke did for religious education as a member of the National Society. For twenty-five years he was a member of the committee of the Archbishop’s Examining Board and acted as Chairman of the Finance Committee and member of the General Council for Training Colleges.
For many years he had been a member of the governing body of the training Colleges of St John’s, Battersea and St Mark’s, Chelsea. He was also from its start, Chairman of the Committee of Management of the National Society Hostel at Grove Park for young churchwomen attending the day training department of Goldsmiths College, New Cross.’
Extract from Charles Edward Brooke - a Memoir
Canon Brooke
‘Before the end of 1898 Canon Brooke bought the site of the College at a cost of £4,200 and made himself responsible for the cost of the building. Liberal subscriptions flowed in from Church people, including gifts from the National Society and the SPCK, together with very large gifts from himself and his family, amounting to £20,000.’
‘The foundation stone was laid on 14 July, 1899, and the Benediction of the new College was performed by Archbishop Temple on 9th October, 1900.
It was a great venture of faith. Spiritually, the tradition of College life (which was so firmly set by its Founder and by Miss Bishop – that of thoroughness in work and reverence in worship, of gentle manners and good fellowship), was established.
When it is realised that, in spite of the enormous increase in the number of teachers employed in elementary schools towards the end of the century, no new training college had been set up for more than twenty-five years, the magnitude and generosity of Canon Brooke’s achievement is seen in its true perspective.’
‘Canon Brooke was, before all things, impressed with the importance of providing and maintaining a Church education for Church children under Christian teachers who believed what they taught. The schools and College remain a monument to the Vicar’s indefatigable labours.’
‘During the building of St John the Divine Church, Charles Edward Brooke offered £10,000 for the completion of the nave. This gift was only one of many, known and unknown, poured into the parish. There are many instances of a princely liberality which characterised his whole career. His character remained noble in the possession and dispensing of such vast sums. The life and work of Charles Edward Brooke are a triumph of grace over gross and subtle temptation.’
‘Lord Halifax said of Charles Edward Brooke … “He was one of those who make goodness attractive. A man who loved God with all his heart and grudged nothing in his service. The large means he possessed were spent in the service of God and for the benefit of his neighbourhood. A life such as his teaches the greatest of all lessons – that it is character and conforming all things to the will of God which are the real powers that influence the world and bear fruit, not only for time, but for eternity.” ’
This was our college in 1974
‘St Gabriel’s College is a Church of England College of about 350 students, men and women, who are following a three-year course of teacher-training. Some students continue their studies for a further year in order to obtain a B.Ed. degree. The College hopes in addition to be able from September 1975 to prepare students for the new three-year B.Ed. degree of London University and the two-year Diploma in Higher Education.
From its foundation in 1899 by Canon Charles Edward Brooke, Vicar of St John the Divine, Kennington, it has been on its present site in Camberwell, south of the river. The College’s position and work in South-East London makes it particularly fitted to lay stress in its courses upon preparation for teaching in the inner city and the study of an urban environment.
Being comparatively small, the College can enjoy a friendly community atmosphere and a pattern of work which has regard for the individual. A tutorial method of teaching is used and much of the work is done individually and in small group seminars.
The National Society for Promoting Religious Education proposes to establish at the College a Religious Education Centre from September, 1974.’
Printed on the programme for Open Day, 8 June 1974.
Principals of the College
1899-1913: Miss M. E. Bishop
1913-1930: Miss K. T. Stephenson
1930-1943: Miss F. M. Johnson
1943-1956: Dr. P. V. McKie
1956-1964: Miss M. Atkinson
1965-1978: Miss E. Blackburn
Prayer and thanksgiving
‘In the faith of Jesus Christ we place this headstone in the foundation in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, that here true faith, the fear of God, and brotherly love may dwell, and that the place may be set apart for the instruction of those who are called to be teachers of the young, and for the honour of the Same our Lord, Jesus Christ.’
At the Laying of the Foundation Stone, 14 July 1899
‘And ye shall pray for all schools and places of sound learning, and herein for this College of Saint Gabriel, for the Benefactors and Council, for the Principal, the Staff, the Students, and all those who have gone forth from the College, beseeching God to give them grace to use themselves in such wise as may be to God’s glory, the King’s honour, and the weal of this realm.
Finally, let us Praise God for all those who are departed out of this world in the faith of Christ, especially Charles Edward Brooke, the Founder, and Matilda Ellen Bishop, the first Principal of this College, and pray that we may be made partakers with them of the glorious resurrection in the life everlasting. ’
At the Jubilee Service, Southwark Cathedral, 14 July 1949
