Standing before St John’s House, you can almost feel the centuries whispering around you. Imagine the bustling activity of nurses in training, their footsteps echoing through the halls, their voices filled with a mix of determination and hope. This building’s story stretches back to 1848 when it was founded as a ‘Training Institution for Nurses for Hospitals, Families and the Poor.’ St John’s House, named for its location in the parish of St John the Evangelist, was a religious community, run by a Master, a clergyman, and a Lady Superintendent. The aim was to elevate the profession of nursing by providing moral and religious instruction, a dedication that resonated with the Victorian spirit of social reform.
St John’s House moved several times in its early years. From its original location at 36 Fitzroy Square, it relocated to 5 Queen Square in 1852 and then to 6, 7, and 8 Norfolk Street in 1859. It wasn’t until 1907 that it found a permanent home at 12 Queen Square, where it remained for over a century. This particular building has an interesting history. When the house was modernized in 1906, some of its features were altered and transformed into a more modern aesthetic. The windows, especially the French windows leading onto the balcony, were enlarged, and the upper floors were transformed into a more modern style.
This change coincided with the changing role of nursing in the 20th century. The emphasis shifted away from religious instruction, and hospitals increasingly trained their own nurses. In 1919, St John’s House became a center for nurses trained by St Thomas’s Hospital, who sought to pursue private nursing careers. It wasn’t a conventional nursing school– it was a gateway to a more personalized, independent kind of patient care.
Despite this change, St John’s House retained a sense of history. The chapel from Norfolk Street, the previous home of the institution, was meticulously re-erected at 12 Queen Square, a testament to the enduring presence and influence of this institution, although its exact design was lost.
Today, St John’s House is home to the Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging. As you stand here, consider the transformations this building has witnessed. From the Victorian era, with its focus on moral training and religious instruction, to the modern dedication to understanding the human brain. The past and present co-exist within these walls, creating a fascinating and complex history.