St Paul’s Institute Cambridge

St Paul’s Parish Institute, Coronation Street, Cambridge

History of St Paul's Parish Institute

Built in 1896, in 1993 the building became part of the Perse School for Girls.

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1901

George William Austin, 52, custodian, b Kent

Sarah A, 51, b Kent

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25/10/1906 Cambridge Library committee recommended that a branch reading room be opened in a room in St Paul’s Institute, Coronation Street. But Prof Sorley said a reading room supplied people with ephemeral newspapers and magazines, it did not supply literary, technical, scientific or reference works and the central library did not have the works it should have. However it would prevent a great deal of loafing about in the streets which was productive of crime. (Cambridge Press)

2/1/1907 A warm well-lighted room in St Paul’s Institute New Town was opened as a reading room. There was a collection of current literature ready for the first arrivals who drew chairs to the tables and took advantage of the comfort and facilities provided. The Free Library was one of the most popular institutions in Cambridge, ten years ago a branch was established at Mill Road with other reading rooms at Castle End and East Road. (Cambridge Press)

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1911

James Saveall, 57, widower, custodian and police pensioner, b Essex

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1913 S Paul’s Parish Institute

F Hazelwood, custodian

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WWII:

Local children would have lunch here during WWII and walk around from the school. Michael Donovan recalled in 2026 how he would wait outside with their pennies, and grind the coins on the brickwork so brighten the metal, as well as scratch their names. The graffiti is still very evident.

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1962

St Paul’s Parish Institute