The Norwood Convent (1859 to 1952)

Was the first Catholic orphanage in the UK since the Reformation. It originated from the Order of the Faithful Virgin in 1831 at La Deliverande in Normany France.  In 1848 it was decided to build a second foundation also devoted to the service and care of orphaned and underprivileged children. Sister Saint Mary was responsible for the building and establishment of the Virgo Fidelis Convent, its church, orphanage and the schools. In 1857 the old Park Hotel a house dating back to 1558 was purchased and renamed St Mary’s Lodge by the Order. It was here that the convent and orphanage was to be established.Ultimately the nuns and children must have outgrown the old house and plans were made to build the Virgo Fidelis Convent and the adjacent church we know today. In 1871 the church was opened with great pomp and ceremony as a memorial to Bishop Thomas Grant who had fully supported the work of the orphanage. He is buried in the convent cemetery. 5000 orphans have lived and spent their formative years here. In 1952 the building included a small state-financed non fee paying school called Our Lady’s School but closed under Croydon Council but then became a larger modern state-funded non fee paying secondary school for Catholic girls. 2021 closed.  Cedars and Laurels Schools opened as private Catholic schools. 1992 St Mary’s Family Centre was opened to cater for the parents and children of the community and surrounding Boroughs.