Comments on: Sister Bridget & Sister Bernadette at Providence Row

By: Russell Burrows

Russell Burrows — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 23:08:43 +0000

Bernadette and Bridget were some of my work mates at the Dellow Cerntre some twenty years ago. Wherever they now are, I hope their God is looking after them.

By: Steven o Sullivan

Steven o Sullivan — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 00:55:44 +0000

I had the misfortune to meet St Stevens and her cane on many occasions

By: Stephen Gardner

Stephen Gardner — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 02:47:26 +0000

I attended St.Josephs Primary School in Gun Street in the 1950s as did my Two Sisters,which was attached to the Crispin street Nunnery and Women’s Refuge, but on the opposite side hence in Gun Street.
I remember some of the Nuns very well ,At that time Sister Mary Stevens was the Head of the Primary School. And Sister Ursula was a Teachers Aide in Class 1
The Hall used by the School to put on plays on the Stage was actually in the nunnery, and where the Nuns had at least 2 Feats a year to raise money
The School Caretaker at that time was Winnie Connell /Feeney, who lived on the top Floor of the School with her Family, and From her Rooftop Garden you could see the Nuns Private Garden behind a wall in the School Playground it was Immaculate and the Nuns took a lot of Pride in it.
Reverend Mother Elizabeth one of the Oldest Nuns had a Small room in the School Hall where no one was allowed as it was her Domain only, it was there that she stored hundreds of items, clothes, and everything else Donated to the Nunnery for the Women who used the Refuge and for the Feats
It was a shame that the Refuge was closed down as it was Part of History of Spitalfields and a Safe Haven for Women.
I remember it with Fond Memories

By: Tina Smith/

Tina Smith/ — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 22:42:21 +0000

Tina Smith
I was very sad when Providence Row was sold, i was always hoping to get back to England and have one more nostalgic binge. However,i am pleased it is now a place for students, i know Sister Elizabeth would appreciate this. In all other schools i attended, i was a dunce, however attending school at Providence Row i excelled.
After the second world war, we children from the little school on Gun Street attended a peace Mass at West Minister Cathedral, i was selected to carry the envelope of money along the isle, and hand over the money to a Bishop, i still remember the amount of money, Twenty Seven Pounds twelve Shillings and Sixpence.

By: Tina Smith/

Tina Smith/ — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 03:13:21 +0000

To Mary Pollination thank you for your mail, I will let you know when my book is published.

By: Mary Pollington

Mary Pollington — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:43:50 +0000

Thelma, I’m so glad you have good memories of Sister Elizabeth. She was the older sister of my great – grandmother and I remember visiting her at Crispin St. several times as a child. We would take Christmas presents and new clothes door the children there, though as a child I didn’t realize what a wonderful work the sisters were doing helping those in need.

By: Tina smith

Tina smith — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 17:19:34 +0000

My name at the time of my stay at Providence Row was Thelma kollesoff, aged twelve years of age in 1945. I was sent to live at Providence Row from an orphahange. There were no cildren living at Providence Row permananately, though in my two year stay, some children came for a few days with thier parants. I went to St. Josphes School on Gun street.
I for years i carried a cloud of black shame about living at Providence Row, sleeping alongside of woman who worked at Providence Row. However, the light that has shone through the black cloud all my life, was the force of Sister Elizabeth, a tall energetic nun who ran the womans shelter plus the head mistress of the school. It was she, who aranged my first ever bithday celebration on my thirteenth Birthday, i was able to invite five children from school, my birthday party was presided over by the four nuns running Providence Row at the time. I have written a book through the eyses of a child, about my life groing up in various institutions, in England during the thirties and forties, my two years living at Providence Row as a child, haunted me so much, it was the poverty of grown up people i saw every day coming in and out of Providence Row two times a day for thier bread and coco.
My name at the time of my stay at Providence Row
Thelma Kollesoff
aged Twelve thu Fourteen years of age.

By: frank hadley

frank hadley — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:23:01 +0000

I went to st. josephs r.c. convent school which backed onto the convent , we were taught by the sisters and mrs. davis , the sisters of mercy were so kind to us children .fond memories of sister gonzaga, sister ursula, sister elizabeth. they were very patient and often took us on day trips, which we enjoyed. that was in the 1950s. i lived in the area from 1948- 1963. it was a happy place to grow up never a dull moment.

By: Moyra Peralta

Moyra Peralta — Thu, 11 Jul 2013 15:26:35 +0000

Thank you; I enjoyed this update. I have such fond memories of Sister Paul whom I knew in the late 1970’s.

By: Robert Warren

Robert Warren — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:40:07 +0000

I cannot thank the Sisters of Mercy enough for helping my Great Grandmother and her two daughters in their time of need in 1891. I have been tracing my family tree and was so upset to see the family including the Mother Catherine Connor aged just 25 and her 2 daughters Catherine and Elizabeth aged 17 and 2 with no means to afford a roof over their heads.
The good news is that they did get themselves back on their own feet after the Father died.
God Bless all Who Help the Needy Without Judgement.