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Slemsman Index

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St Anselm hall has a rich and colourful history, one that is reflected in the life stories of the men and, more recently, women who have made it their home from home.

When complete, this index will provide, for the first time, a public record of the men of St Anselm Hall 1907-1939 and their stories.

The index has been drawn together from a wide range of sources and reflects available information, however please be aware that some names and stories remain missing.

If you have further information or would like to contact us, please email Slemshistory19@outlook.com

'What I Owe to that young Irish Curate'
1907-1915

When the Rev. Allworthy opened St. Anselm's Hostel at Newton Heath in 1907, he intended it to be a place where working class boys were prepared for ordination.  Of the 14 boys who are known to have passed through the hall over the next eight years, most were also connected to the University, either as matriculation (entrance exam) students or as undergraduates. In 1914, however, the outbreak of World War I changed everything. A number of Slemsman joined the conflict. One man- Thomas Robinson- never came home. Several others found their life paths dramatically altered. In 1915, the hall was forced into a temporary closure which would last until 1919.

'An Old Soldier'
1919-1924

Hall_1920s.jpg

The men who entered St Anselm Hall in 1919 were striking in that they were all ex-servicemen, mostly in their 20s and 30s, who had seen action in the First World War and were now seeking ordination in the Church of England.  Most had entered the hall through the Knutsford Scheme, a Church of England initiative to prepare ex-servicemen for ordination. Having completed their Knutsford traing they were placed at St Anselm, under the care of the new Warden, the Rev. Frederick Chevassut, whilst they undertook their University education.

Nearby, meanwhile, Gartness (Brassey Memorial) Hostel had been opened to accommodate Army Service Candidates also looking to ordination. Like St Anselm, many of its students had come to the University from the Knutsford Scheme.  As St Anselm’s small size, however, soon made it financially unviable the decision was made in 1921 to merge the two institutions as St Anselm (Brassey Memorial) Hall, under the care of the Principal of Gartness, Rev. Lindsay Dewar.

Where photographs have been used, reasonable attempts have been made to seek permission of copyright holders. For further information please contact slemshistory19@outlook.com

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