St Joseph’s Orphanage
St Joseph’s Orphanage, Mount Street
St Joseph’s Orphanage, Mount St – privately owned, dire state of repair and very vulnerable, lucky any of it remains after the fires.
This article on the BBC website explains the situation in late 2024, which is round about the time the Preserving Preston’s Heritage was formed:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy9g29y4pko
The steady decline of the buildings at the St Joseph’s Orphanage on Mount Street was one of the catalysts that contributed to the calling of the first Preserving Preston’s Heritage meeting.
The abandoned buildings, which have been awaiting future development, have been blighted by vandalism and fires over the last few years. They have also attracted a lot of attention after becoming a hot-spot for Urban Explorers.
Demolition continues at the site (as of September 2025), and whilst there are plans to keep certain elements, including elements identified as ‘The Chapel’ and ‘The Tower’, based on what is now left, it is going to be a very involved restoration if any of the former building are to be retained.
This recent Facebook post, in our Preserving Preston’s Heritage CIC group, illustrates the condition of the remaining buildings following the most recent demolition work.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/preservingprestonsheritage/permalink/745090728081764/
St Joseph’s Orphanage History
St. Joseph’s Orphanage was built in Preston in 1872 to designs by architect R.W. Hughes. It’s construction was funded by Mrs. Maria Holland, to provide for destitute Roman Catholic girls. Adjacent St. Joseph’s Hospital was built in 1877 and served as a hospital for the poor, a maternity unit, and a facility for injured soldiers during both World Wars. The orphanage closed in 1954, and the site later became Mount Street Hospital, which closed in 1986. The site was later used as a nursing home and was finally shut down in 2003.
St Joseph’s Orphanage for Roman Catholic Girls was officially opened on September 19th, 1872. The establishment, located at the south end of Theatre Street, owed its existence to a gift of £10,000 by Mrs Maria Holland, a resident of the town. Around £6,000 was used to construct the building, and £4,000 to endow up to 30 places, with preference being given to children from Preston.
The following information comes from an edition of the Preston Chronicle that was published on Saturday, 21st September 1872.
THE BUILDING.
The building is gothic, and forms in plan the letter H. It is constructed of bricks with stone dressings, the roof being covered with Broomhalls and Co.’s light and dull red tiles, and the pinnacles, &c., ornamented with metal gothic crosses. This variety of colour and material gives to the exterior a pleasing and picturesque appearance. The principal entrance is approached through Theatre-street, from whence an imperfect view only can be obtained of the building. This entrance is surmounted by a small tower, from which a bell will toll the Angelus, and give the signal for the ordinary every day duties of the Orphanage. Immediately above the door is inscribed the name of the donor, and the occasion of the gift, which inscription runs as follows:-“St. Joseph’s Orphanage, erected Anno Domini 1872, endowed by Mrs. Maria Holland, Preston.” There is another entrance to the front, which may be termed “the tradesman’s entrance,” or for those who have business with the house. Passing to the back, a good view of the whole structure may be obtained from the direction of the station, or indeed from any part of the neighbouring country. On this or the north-east portion of the house a beautiful statue (to which we have had occasion previously to draw attention) representing St. Joseph, designed by Mr. Hughes, architect, and executed by Mr. Miles, sculptor, stands out to view, in a niche pre-pared for it, and indicates that there is apportioned off the chapel where the devotional services of the community are to be performed. A large and open playground is here contrived for the orphans, whilst a portion of it is reserved for the recreation of the nuns. It is suggested that should the entrance from Theatre-street prove insufficient another will be opened out of Mount-street, as a few houses situated there are the property of the Orphanage.
The interior of the building is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is intended. It is divided into three distinct portions–the visitors, nuns, and children’s quarters. As you go in are the visitors rooms, shut off from the rest of the house. Then comes the convent portion consisting of a spacious gallery into which the private rooms of the nuns open. Then comes the business room of the Superioress, the recreation room, airy and light, then the refectory, affording accommodation for at least 10 nuns, and afterwards the general workroom for the same. To the north in one uninterrupted range come the kitchen-fitted up with the latest cooking apparatus-store room, scullery, larder, and dairy. A vestible door is opened in the middle of the gallery, and we are admitted into the children’s quarters, where every attention has been paid to secure comfort and health to the inmates. They have -when it is so disposed to shine the advantage of the sun all day. There is a large refectory, and near to this a school for the orphans. The infirmary is to the south so that in case of infection there is no possibility of the disease spreading in the house as the ventilation is contrary. Above a remarkable feature in the interior-is a splendid and especially ventilated dormitory with accommodation for over 30 children, single bedded, with good iron bedsteads and bedding, and bell for sounding the rising. At the head of the room is a small apartment, which commands a view of the whole dormitory, and is in-tended for the “watch” during the night. On the other side of the gallery is a lavatory fitted with baths, &c., &c., where the inmates will make their daily ablutions. On the south-west portion is the domestic chapel, the work of which has been assigned to Messrs. Park and Co.; a beautiful picture, the production of a Roman artist, and representing St. Joseph at work with the infant Jesus, is placed above the altar, and harmonises with the general bearing of the establishment. In the cellar are stores and washing places provided with all necessaries. There is a drying machine which is calculated to dry a blanket in seven minutes, and a splendid bakery, the particular design of Mr. Hughes. Places for washing, shoes, and taking recreation during the inclement whether, are also arranged in the cellar. The contractors for the whole of the work were Messrs. Rigby and Midgall, the sub-contractors being-for brick work Mr. Christian, for masonry Mr. Williamson, for plumbing and glazing Messrs. Westray and Woods, and for plastering Mr. Walker. The architects are Messrs. Pierpoint and Hughes (Preston and Warrington).
On the whole the undertaking seems in a fair way to prosper; it will be a monument to her who has erected it, and a good healthy asylum to a bereaved offspring which may there seek refuge and protection.
This is not the first time Mrs. Holland has come forward in support of charitable objects, nor, is it, we are happy to state, likely to be the last. On Monday she will lay the foundation stone of Roper School, Friargate.
