Heritage

Photo

Our Founder, John Whitgift

John Whitgift, The Archbishop of Canterbury (1583-1604) founded The Whitgift Foundation in 1596. His aims were to provide care for the elderly and education for the young.

John Whigift was the eldest son of a merchant, born in Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire in 1530. His uncle Robert Whitgift, an Abbot of a neighbouring monastery provided John Whitgift with an education not normally expected for a person of his background. He proved to be an excellent student and in 1549 moved to Queens College, Cambridge soon followed by a transfer to Pembroke Hall.

In 1555 he became a fellow of Peterhouse and progressed quickly to become Chaplain to the Bishop of Ely in 1560. He did, however, remain in the main stream of academia as Master of Pembroke and then of Trinity College where he preached before Her Majesty Elizabeth I for the first time.

On 24th March 1577 John Whitgift was appointed Bishop of Worcester and in August 1583 Queen Elizabeth I appointed John Whitgift Archbishop of Canterbury.

Many of the Archbishops resided at The Palace in Croydon, now Old Palace of John Whitgift School and it became a favourite summer retreat for John Whitgift. It is recorded that Elizabeth I dined at The Palace in August 1600.

Key dates in the history of The Whitgift Foundation

1596 On 22 March, John Whitgift laid the two Foundation stones of his Hospital of the Holy Trinity (the Almshouses)

1600 There were originally three separate buildings; The Almshouses (or Hospital), The School House and Schoolmaster’s House. The Almshouses still stand at the corner of North End and George Street

1923 After threats of demolition, the Almshouses were saved by the intervention of the House of Lords. They are now a listed building. In addition, Whitgift Middle School moved into the North End building

1931 Whitgift Grammar School moved to Haling Park, South Croydon and back to its original name, Whitgift School

1954 Whitgift Middle School changed its name to Trinity School of John Whitgift

1965 Trinity School moved to Shirley Park, and its site was developed to become the Whitgift Centre

1983 Queen Elizabeth II visited the Almshouses on 21st June

1993 Old Palace School joined the Whitgift Foundation on 1st September

1996 Queen Elizabeth II visited Old Palace School of John Whitgift and the Almshouses

For more detailed information on the history of the Whitgift Foundation please visit the Friends of Old Palace website.