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Mt Pleasant
Training College 1904
In 1853, two years after the Sisters had arrived in Liverpool, the subject of opening a teacher training
college for Catholic women was raised with the
superior of Mount Pleasant by the government
inspector of schools, Mr Stokes. It was March 1855
before Mr Allies, the secretary of the Catholic Poor
School Committee, was deputed to visit Namur and
request the acceptance of the direction of a training
college
assisted from funds of the committee. A correspondence was entered into
as a result of the visit and the Mère General offered the Liverpool
house as the place where the training college would be started.
In October 1855 the first Sisters who were to take the government
examination began their studies. Sister Mary of St Philip (Frances Mary
Lescher) came from Namur to begin the college. On 19th January 1856 21
Queen’s scholars entered as the first students of the Liverpool training
college. One private student joined them. After just a few months it
was necessary to provide additional accommodation. Plans were designed
by Hansom and the new house was built to accommodate 60 students and was
ready to be inhabited by the end of 1856 and was completely finished by
February 1857 when about 36 students entered as pupils.
Sister Mary of St Philip, first Principal of Mt Pleasant, with a group of students 1884
