In 1904, St Anthony’s Hospital opened its doors. It wasn’t always a place of healing. The building originally housed the Lord Nelson Inn, a stop for horse-drawn coaches on the London to Epsom road. St Anthony’s first patients, a mother and her young son, were admitted with tuberculosis. This marked the beginning of St Anthony’s legacy of service. The Daughters of the Cross, a Catholic order, purchased North Cheam House in the countryside. They transformed it into this vital hospital. By 1914, a grand three-story brick building replaced the original inn. St Anthony’s evolved with the times. With the advent of the National Health Service in 1948, the hospital shifted from private payments to NHS funding. An unexpected contract termination in the 1970s led to another rebuild. The innovative new hospital prioritized patient-centered care, a value championed by the Sisters. St Anthony’s specialized in cardiac surgery. This drew patients from far and wide, solidifying its reputation for excellence. The Sisters also established St Raphael’s Hospice on the hospital grounds in 1987. It offered free palliative care. St. Raphael’s, later expanded, became a vital resource for patients and their families. It also provided specialized training for medical professionals. From a countryside inn to a pioneering hospital, St Anthony’s has continuously served the community. It stands as a testament to the Sisters’ unwavering dedication to compassionate care.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service