Former St Joseph's House, Walkley, Sheffield

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 19 Feb 2018

In 1861, a Roman Catholic reformatory was opened here in what at first sight seems to be an extension to this former chapel. In fact the chapel - with school rooms beneath it - was not built until 1872. The residential reformatory was opened here in this former boarding school building, "Howard House" and renamed St Joseph’s. Later, between 1887-1931, the premises became a residential “Industrial School for Roman Catholic Girls”. Still later, after a period of closure, it reopened in 1934 as St Joseph’s House for Mentally Handicapped Women and Girls, receiving referrals from across Gt. Britain. By this time additional buildings had been added on site. In 1971 its management was assumed by the Sheffield Health Board, although the Sisters of Charity continued to staff it. In 1974 however, the nuns withdraw their services at the time that the more stringent regulations relating to meeting the educational needs of individuals with learning difficulties came into being. These facilities closed permanently in 1983 and these buildings are currently occupied by a Buddhist community. (See also: http://saintjosephshome.weebly.com/download-the-booklet.html)

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