Croydon is a market town, situated about ten miles south of London; the parish is very extensive: in Doomsday book it is said to contain 20 plough lands, and is now supposed to be about 36 miles in circumference; being bounded on the north by Streatham and Lambeth; on the east by Buckingham, Addington, Sandersted, and Coulsdon; on the south by Beddington; and on the west by Mitcham: a considerable part of Norwood is in this parish.

The small river Wandle, which falls into the Thames at Wandsworth, has its source in this parish, near the church. The whole of its course is not many miles, yet there are few rivers on whose banks a more extensive commerce is carried on.

About a mile from the town, near the road to Addington, is a large chalk-pit, which produces a great variety of extraneous fossils.

There are eight hamlets within this parish: Wadden, which consists of several houses, situated to the south of the town; Haling, Croham, and Combe; Benchesham, or Whitehorse, Shirley, Adiscombe, Woodside, and Selsdon.

Some antiquaries have supposed this place to have been the ancient Novio Magus. The Roman road from Arundel to London passed through or near the town; it is visible on Broad Green.

In the year 1264, during the wars between Henry III. and his Barons, the Londoners, who had taken part with the latter, were defeated at Croydon, with great loss, by the king’s forces.

The manor of Croydon has belonged to the see of Canterbury ever since the Conquest, when it appears to have been possessed by Archbishop Lanfranc. The palace, or manorial house, situated near the church, was for several centuries the occasional residence of the archbishops. In the month of July 1573, Archbishop Parker entertained Queen Elizabeth and her whole court for seven days at Croydon, and again in the following year.

In the year 1780, the palace not having been inhabited above twenty years, was become much out of repair; in consequence of which, an act of parliament was obtained for disposing of it by sale, and vesting the produce in the funds towards building a new palace upon Park Hill, about half a mile from the town.

Croydon Church is a handsome structure, built of stone and flint, consisting of a nave, two aisles, and three chancels; at the west end is a handsome square tower with pinnacles. The nave is separated from the aisles by light clustered columns, with pointed arches, between which are several grotesque heads and ornaments. The church appears to have been rebuilt in the time of Archbishop Chichele, who was a great contributor to the work; his arms are upon the west door under the tower. The old font, which stands at the west end of the south aisle, appears to be of the same date. In the middle chancel are some ancient wooden stalls.

This church contains several handsome monuments, and ancient memorials, among the former are Archbishop Grindal’s tomb in the middle chancel on the south side of the altar. It is a handsome monument of black marble, supported by Corinthian pillars. The archbishop is represented lying at full length, dressed in his doctor’s robes. Archbishop Whitgift’s monument in the south, or bishop’s chancel, supported by Corinthian columns of black marble, between which lies his effigies in his robes. And in the same chancel, the splendid monument to the memory of Archbishop Sheldon. The figure of the archbishop, which is of white marble, is a very fine piece of sculpture, and was the performance of Latham, the city architect, and Bonne. It has been supposed that the head was finished by an Italian artist. Against the south wall in this chancel is an ancient gothic tomb; under the arch are vestiges of upright brass plates, with figures of a man and a woman, having labels issuing from their mouths. In the middle chancel is the following inscription in black letter, on a brass plate, the figure of the person whom it commemorates, has been torn off:

"Hie jacet Egidius Seymor, qui obiit 25 die Decembris, A. Dni. 1390, cui. aie procietur D 5."

At the west end of the nave is a monument, with a column of white marble, designed by Mr. Glover, the author of Leonidas, to the memory of Philippa, wife of James Bourdieu, Esq. of Combe, in the parish of Croydon, who died in 1780.

The town of Croydon had a market on Wednesday as early as the reign of Edward I. obtained by Archbishop Kelwardly; and a fair, which began on the eve of St. Botolph, and lasted nine days. Another market on Thursday was granted to Archbishop Reynolds, by Edward II. and a fair on the eve and morrow of St. Matthew. A third market upon Saturdays, the only one of the three now continued, was obtained by Archbishop Stratford from Edward III. and at the same time a fair to be held on the feast of St. John the Baptist. Of the fairs the two last are now only held.

Elis Davy, citizen and mercer of London, founded an Alms-house in Croydon, in the reign of Henry VI. and endowed it for seven poor people. The vicar, churchwarden, and four of the principal inhabitants of Croydon, were appointed governors; the masters and wardens of the mercers’ company, overseers. The alms-house was rebuilt some years ago, and the revenues are now upwards of 40l. per annum.

Whitgift’s Hospital was founded by Archbishop Whitgift, in 1596, and endowed with lands for the maintenance of a warden, schoolmaster, and 28 poor brethren and sisters, or a greater number, not to exceed 40, if the revenues should admit of it. The schoolmaster, who is likewise chaplain, is allowed by the statutes 20l. per annum; the warden 11l. and the other members 51. each. The nomination of the brothers and sisters was vested by the founder in his successors in the see of Canterbury, whom he appointed also to be visitors. Whenever that see shall happen to be vacant, the rector of Lambeth, and the vicar of Croydon, are to fill up the places. The persons to be admitted must be at least 60 years of age. The building of the hospital cost the archbishop above 2, 700l. The lands with which it was endowed were of the annual value of 185l. 4s.

In the chapel of this hospital is a portrait of the founder, painted on a board, with the following inscription.

"Feci quod potui; potui quod, Christe dedisti;

Improba fac Melius sipotes, invidia.

Has triadi sanctae primi qui struxerat aedes,

Illius en veram Praesulis effigiem."

In the hall is a copy of the Dance of Death, with coloured drawings, much damaged. There are also three antique wooden goblets; one of them, which holds about three pints, is inscribed with the following legend: "What, sirrah! holde thy pease; thirste satisfied cease."

Adjoining to the hospital are the school and master’s house. There is another alms-house at Croydon, called the little Alms-house, where the parish poor are usually placed.

Archbishop Laud gave 10l. 10s. per annum to Croydon to apprentice poor boys.

Archbishop Tennison gave a School-house and two farms, the revenues of which amount to 58l. per annum, for educating ten boys and ten girls.

Mr. Henry Smith left certain lands and houses to this parish, which produce 100l. per annum; and other benefactions have been given by different persons, amounting on the whole to upwards of 40l. per annum.

Croydon has abundance of game in its vicinity; and down the river Wandle at a short distance there is excellent trout fishing. Respectable persons may obtain permission to angle from the different proprietors of the water. Three packs of hounds are kept in the neighbourhood of Croydon—two packs of fox hounds belong to Mr. Maberley and Colonel Joliffe of Merstham; the staghounds belong to Lord Derby at the Oaks. The places of throwing off and time of reaching covert are always sent to the principal inns in the town, where most of the fox hunters from London keep their horses in the season. The flavour of the Wandle trout is esteemed preferable to that of most of our rivers.

A new turnpike road is opened from Croydon to Brighton, which takes its course through Smitham Bottom, Leadencross, Chipstead and Merstham, to Reigate, avoiding Reigate Hill, and falling into the old road behind Gatton Park. From this town also, there is a new navigable canal, which taking its course northward, adds considerable beauty to the village of Sydenham, and falls into the Thames at Rotherhithe.

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CROYDON, called in Domesday “Croindene,” is a municipal and parliamentary borough, county borough, ancient market town and parish, head of a petty sessional division, union and county court district, in the North Eastern division of the county, first division of the hundred of Wallington, rural deanery of Croydon, archdeaconry of Maidstone and diocese of Canterbury; it is within the district of the Metropolitan police, situate 10 miles south from London. The parish is very extensive and is about 36 miles in circumference: a large part of Norwood is within the parish, as well as the hamlets of Addiscombe, Bensham, Croham, Coombe, Haling, Shirley, Waddon, Woodside and Norbury and the locality called Thornton Heath.

The town was incorporated by Royal Charter, dated 9th March, 1883; the corporate body consisting of a mayor, 12 aldermen and 36 councillors; the borough is divided into six wards, and the Corporation also act as the Urban Sanitary Authority, Under the “Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885,” Croydon was made a parliamentary borough, returning one member, and by the Local Government Act, 1888, it was declared a “county borough,” for certain purposes.

The borough received a commission of the peace on the 24th of March, 1885, and a separate court of quarter sessions June, 1889. The town is well paved, lighted with gas, drained, and has a plentiful supply of good water, obtained from wells in the chalk; there is a reservoir on Addington hills, with a capacity of five million gallons, and one on Park hill of one million gallons: the works are in Surrey street. The principal business part of the town consists of four main streets running at right angles to each other and containing a number of good shops, the Town Hall and many private dwellings. The outskirts of the town and neighbourhood in general contain many elegant and substantial residences.

Under the provisions of the Croydon Improvement Act, 1890 (53 and 54 Vict.), the Corporation are empowered to make various street improvements, to erect a new Town Hall and dispose of the old site, to stop up and extinguish certain rights of way, to acquire land by compulsory purchase, and to borrow money on certain conditions not exceeding £90,000, for street improvement works, or £35,000 for the erection of the Town Hall and other buildings, including premises for the Free Public Library and new dwellings for such persons of the labouring class as have been displaced.

Croydon has several Railway stations in the town and parish on the London, Brighton and South Coast and the South Eastern railways and a line has been constructed to East Grinstead and Tonbridge. West Croydon is the junction of the lines from Wimbledon and Epsom of the Brighton Company.

The river Wandle, which falls into the Thames at Wandsworth, has its source in this parish, near the church, but now flows underground; the inundations, for which the place was noted, have ceased and the”rising of the Bourne water” is no longer a terror to the inhabitants, a system of drain pipes diverting it to the west. Ermine Street, a Roman road from Arundel to London, passed near the town and traces of it were at one time visible at Broad Green. In the year 1264, during the civil contentions between King Henry III. and the Barons, the Londoners, who fought for the latter, were defeated here with great slaughter, by the forces of the king.

The parish church of St. John the Baptist, in Church street, an edifice of the 14th century, was almost entirely destroyed by fire on Saturday, Jan. 5th, 1867, when the greater number of the monuments perished , the church was rebuilt of stone and flint, at a cost of £28,000, from designs by the late Sir G. G. Scott R.A., F.S.A, on the same plan as the old one, the tower being mainly preserved: the style is Perpendicular and the church consists of chancel with aisles, nave of six bays, aisles, vestry, north and south porches and a fine embattled western tower with pinnacles containing a clock with Westminster chimes and a carillon machine, playing 14 tunes on 8 bells: the nave has an oak roof of rich design: the chancel has a panelled roof with massive moulded oak ribs, at the springing of which are figures of angels holding musical instruments: the seats in the chancel are also elaborately and beautifully carved: there is an alabaster reredos and a stone sedile on the south side; the church contains thirteen stained windows, including one erected in 1888 to Archbishop Whitgift; the tomb of the archbishop (ob. 29 Feb. 1604), which had been much damaged by the fire, was admirably restored in 1888, and unveiled by the Archbishop of Canterbury, 14 Nov. in that year; of the tomb of Archbishop Sheldon (06. 9 Nov. 1677), there are considerable remains and in a vault under the organ are fragments of the tomb of Archbishop Grindal (ob. 6 July, 1583); here also are buried John Singleton Copley R.A. (d. 9 Sept. 1815), father of the first Lord Lyndhurst; and Archbishops William Wake (d. 24 Jan. 1737), Thomas Herring (d. 13 March, 1757), and John Potter (d. 10 Oct. 1747): the lectern is ancient: three new buttresses and a north porch of flints with Bath stone dressings are now (1886) being added at a cost of about £700: there are sittings for 1,200 persons, 800 being free. The register dates from the year 1538. The living is a vicarage, average tithe rent-charge £370, net yearly value £216, with residence and 27 acres of glebe, in the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and held since 1889 by the Rev. George Carnac Fisher M.A. of Brasenose College, Oxford, and rural dean of Croydon. The population in 1881 was 8,827.

The following are ecclesiastical parishes formed from that of St. John the Baptist:—

Christ Church parish, Broad green, formed April 5th, 1853: the church, erected in 1852, is a structure of flint and stone, in the Gothic style, consisting only of chancel, nave, south porch and a central turret containing one bell: there are about 1,050 sittings, of which 420 are free. The register dates from the year 1852. The living is a perpetual curacy, gross yearly value about £400; with residence, in the gift of Simeon’s Trustees, and held since 1852 by the Rev. Octavius Bathurst Byers M.A. of Queens’ College, Cambridge, and chaplain of Whitgift’s Almshouses. The population in 1881 was 7,448.

St. Andrew’s parish was formed June 28th, 1861, out of the parishes of St. Peter and St. John: the church, situated in Southbridge road, and erected in 1857, is a stone building, in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, north and south porches and a bell cote on the western gable containing one bell: the church was considerably enlarged in 1870 and a north aisle was added in 1877: it has about 600 sittings. The register dates from the year 1857. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £230, with residence, in the gift of the Randolph family, and held since 1889 by the Rev. William Frederick Herbert Randolph B.A. of Christ Church College, Oxford. The population in 1881 was 1,375; the area is 16 acres.

St. James’ parish was formed April 5th, 1853: the church, situated in St. James’ road, erected in 1827—9 and enlarged in 1881, by the addition of a chancel, is an edifice of Kentish rag and brick, in the Perpendicular style, from designs by Mr. R. Wallace, architect, consisting of chancel with aisles, nave, organ chamber and a western tower with pinnacles containing clock and one bell. In the nave are monuments to some of the officers of the old East India College, Addis-combe: there are 1,200 sittings, of which 400 are free. The register dates from the year 1829. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £360, with residence, in the gift of the Vicar of Croydon, and held since 1879 by the Rev. Walter Richard Hickman B.A. of Emmanuel College, Cambridge. The area is 1,100 acres; the population in 1881 was 7,128.

St. John the Evangelist’s parish was formed May 10,1846: the church, situated at Shirley, about 2 miles east from Croydon town, was built in 1856 and is an edifice of flint and stone in the Decorated style, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, north porch and a small western tower containing a clock and 2 bells: the east window is stained: there are 400 sittings, 50 being free. The register dates from the year 1819. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £300, with residence, in the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury, and held since 1879 by the Rev. William Wilks M.A. of Pembroke College, Cambridge. The population in 1881 was 697.

St. Mary Magdalene’s parish, Addiscombe, was formed July 1, 1879, out of St. James’, Croydon Common: the church, situated in Canning road, and consecrated 31st July, 1878, is an edifice of Kentish rag, with Bath stone dressings, in the Gothic style and consists of apsidal chancel, nave, aisles, transept and east and west porches: it has seven stained windows and a reredos of marble and mosaics: there are 876 sittings, of which 200 are free. The register dates from the year 1878. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £680, with residence, in the gift of five lay patrons, and held since 1871 by the Rev. Henry Glover, of St. Bees. The area is 365 acres; the population in 1881 was 3,420.

St. Matthew’s parish was formed September 18th, 1866: the church, situated in George street, consecrated in June, 1866, and enlarged by the addition of a chancel in 1877, is a building of Kentish rag in the Early French Gothic style, and consists of chancel, nave of five bays, aisles, north porch and an eastern turret containing one bell: the church was built at a cost of about £9,000, and has sittings for about 900 persons, of which 200 are free. The register dates from the year 1866. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £477, derived from pew rents, in the gift of the Vicar of Croydon, and held since 1866 by the Rev. Thomas Lilford Neil Causton M.A. of St. John’s College, Cambridge. The area is 640 acres; the population in 1881 was 1,822.

The parish of St. Michael and All Angels was formed August 1st, 1871: the church, situated in Poplar walk, and erected at a cost of £16,700, from the designs of Mr. John L. Pearson R.A., F.S.A, is an edifice of red brick with Bath stone facings, in the early 13th century style, consisting of apsidal chancel, with ambulatory and south chapel, clerestoried nave of five bays, aisles, transepts, a western porch, two turrets on either side of the chancel, one of which contains a bell, and a tall spire rising to a height of 120 feet above the floor of the nave: the church is groined throughout: the nave is divided from the aisles by arcades of five arches surmounted by a blank triforium and a clerestory, lighted by single lancets, widely splayed and very tall: east of the northern arm of the transept is a spacious organ chamber: it is intended at some future time to erect a lofty tower south of the south aisle: in the side chapel, used for daily services, there is a communion table of carved oak, given by the members of the St. Michael’s Ward of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament: the organ has been entirely renovated: there are 950 sittings. The register of baptisms dates from the year 1871, and of marriages 1883. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £497, in the gift of five trustees, and held since 1871 by the Rev. Richard Whitehead Hoare A.K.C.L. The population in 1881 was 5,240.

St. Paul’s parish was formed August 22nd, 1871, out of the parish of All Saints, Norwood, and the district chapelry of St. Saviour, Croydon: the church, situated at New Thornton Heath, and consecrated in 1872, is a cruciform edifice of stone in the Early Gothic style and consists of chancel, nave, aisles and a turret containing one bell: it will seat about 500 people. The register dates from the year 1872. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £300, with residence, in the gift of the Crown and the Archbishop of Canterbury alternately, and held since 1886 by the Rev. John Bennett M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge. The population in 1881 was 5,557.

St. Peter’s parish was formed April 5th, 1853: the church, situated in St. Peter’s road, South Croydon, is an edifice of flint with stone dressings, in the Decorated style, erected in 1851 and consists of chancel, nave, aisles, north and south porches and a western tower with wooden spire containing 8 bells: the Teredos was given by Mrs. Hook, in memory of her husband: the church has about 750 sittings, of which about 450 are free. The register dates from the year 1851. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £600, chiefly derived from pew rents, in the gift of the Vicar of Croydon, and held since 1857 by the Rev. John White M.A. of Clare College, Cambridge. The population in 1881 was 8,528; the area is 1,800 acres.

St. Saviour’s parish was formed August 23rd, 1867, out of St. James’, Croydon Common: the church, situated in North park and consecrated in 1867, is an edifice of brick, consisting of chancel, nave with clerestory, aisles, baptistery, west and south porches and a tower with spire: the reredos of white marble, by Theed, was given by Mrs. Newman Smith and cost £1,000: the windows are all stained and there are 900 sittings. The register dates from the year 1860. The living is a vicarage, gross yearly value £640, with residence, in the gift of the vicar of St. James’, and held since 1882 by the Rev. George Henry Kempe, jun. M.A. of Exeter College, Oxford. The population in 1881 was 6,809.

St. Augustine’s parish was formed in 1885 out of St. Peter’s parish: the church, erected in 1883—4 at a cost of about £8,500, is a cruciform building of flints with Bar-gate stone dressings, in the Early English style, consisting of chancel with aisles, nave of two bays and a central tower: there are 600 sittings. The register dates from the year 1884. The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £241, including an annual grant from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of £212, with residence, in the gift of the vicar of St. Peter’s, and held since 1885 by the Rev. Charles Basset M.A. of Trinity College, Cambridge.

The Catholic church of Our Lady of Preparation, situated in the Wellesley road and built in 1864, is an edifice of brick in the Gothic style, consisting of chancel and nave, with north and south chapels: in the north chapel are three figures of marble, representing the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland, and in the south chapel is a marble figure representing Our Saviour crucified: the west wall is ornamented with two oil paintings: the pulpit is of oak, richly carved.

The Free Christian Unitarian Church, situated in the Wellesley road, was erected in 1883 at a cost of about £4,800; and is an edifice in the Gothic style, with sittings for about 350 persons.

The West Croydon Congregational church in London road. Broad green, erected in 1887, is an edifice of Kentish rag stone, with Bath stone dressings, in the Decorated style, consisting of nave, narrow aisles, double transepts and a square tower with lofty spire at the south-east angle, containing a clock and chimes: the east window is stained: the pulpit is of marble and Caen stone: there are sittings for about 1,000 persons.

Trinity Congregational church, Dingwall road, erected in 1864, at a cost of £6,000, has sittings for 650.

The Congregational church, Aberdeen road, erected in 1871, will seat about 400.

St. George’s Presbyterian church in Oakfield road, erected in 1873, will seat 600; and there are also Baptist, Primitive Methodist, Free Methodist and Wesleyan chapels, a place of worship for Plymouth Brethren and a Friends’ meeting house in Park lane.

The Croydon Cemetery, situated in Queen’s road, comprises 24 acres of land, 10 of which are reserved for Dissenters: there are two chapels, each consisting of a nave with open timbered roof, that assigned to the Church of England having a semi-octagonal apse at the east end: the total cost of the land and building was about £16,000: the cemetery is under the control of the Corporation.

The Town Hall, situated in the High street, and erected in 1809, under an Act of Parliament (46 Geo. III. c. 130), at a cost of about £9,000, from designs by Mr. S. Pepys Cockerell, architect, is a building of stone, in the Italian style, the lower storey being relieved by Doric columns, and the upper storey by columns of the Ionic order: above the principal entrance is a square turret, surmounted by an open cupola, and containing a striking clock with three 6-feet illuminated dials: the building includes courts for the quarter sessions and offices for the Corporation: under the provisions of the Act previously quoted a new Town Hall will be erected in Katherine street.

The Theatre, erected in 1868, is on Crown hill, and will seat 1,500.

The Public Hall and Rooms of the Croydon Literary and Scientific Institution, established in 1838, are in Wellesley road and include a library of over 8,000 volumes.

The Free Library at 104 and 106 North end, established under the Public Libraries Act, 1855, was opened March 31st, 1890, and has 7,000 volumes in the lending department and 900 in the reference department: it is intended in connection with the scheme set forth in the Improvement Act, 1890, to erect a Central Library in Katherine street, and to open branches at Thornton Heath and South Norwood: there will also be small lending libraries in connection with several of the Board schools in different parts of the borough.

The Public Baths in Scarbrook road were established in 1866, and besides 30 private baths for gentlemen and 4 for ladies, with suitable waiting rooms to each class, there are 2 large swimming baths: other public baths, situated in Birchanger road, Woodside, close to Norwood Junction, were opened in 1881, at a total cost of over £5,000; these are of red brick with stone dressings, and contain 7 private baths for ladies and 9 for gentlemen, beside 2 spacious swimming baths.

The Barracks, situated on the Mitcham road, and erected in 1794, were formerly used as a depot for recruits for the three regiments of foot guards: they are now the head quarters of the 1st Volunteer battalion Royal West Surrey (Queen's) regiment, and are also used as a drilling ground of the Croydon sub-division of police.

Croydon has several breweries, one of which was established early in the last century, and two boot and shoe factories.

Messrs. Gillett and Co.’s large clock factory and church bell foundry, employing over 100 hands, is in the town, and here were cast the two 2-ton bells for the New Eddystone lighthonse and several great clocks and carillons for various town halls and churches.

The East Surrey Agricultural Association promoted in 1837 by Messrs. William Fuller, Henry Rowland and others, has its centre here, and holds an annual show of cart and nag horses, neat stock, sheep and swine. Prizes are also awarded every year in the autumn for the best root crops, for thatching and rickmaking, to shepherds for flock tearing, and to servants for long servitude.

The Croydon Farmers’ Club and Local Chamber of Agriculture, established in 1856 to discuss agricultural subjects, numbers about 300 members, who meet to hear lectures and discourses, practical and scientific, delivered by its members or by professors from the Royal Veterinary College; the club holds an annual show of fat stock, roots, and corn in December.

The corn markets are held in the Corn Exchange and at the King’s Arms hotel, Katherine street, on Thursdays. The cattle market is held on Thursday, at the south end of the town: the market stands close to the South Croydon railway station and between the Brighton and Seisdon roads; and is completely inclosed and well fitted. The fairs are held on October 2nd for cattle, horses and sheep. Races and steeplechases are held several times yearly.

Croydon General Hospital, situated in London road, was opened in 1873 by His Grace the late Archbishop of Canterbury. The hospital, previously occupying premised belonging to the old workhouse infirmary, was established in 1867, and in 1883—4 a new wing was added, the foundation stone of which was laid by H.R.H, the Duke of Edinburgh K.G. in Nov. 1883; it is built so as to harmonize with the old work, from designs by Mr. Charles Henman, architect, of Croydon, the cost being estimated at £5,210; the present building will hold 50 patients; the number of in-patients for 1889 was 385; of out-patients (medical and surgical), 5,022; of casualty cases, 823; ophthalmic, 1,166; and dental, 679.

The Croydon Dispensary, instituted in 1835, and located at 38 George street; the average yearly number of 845 patients.

The Croydon Homoeopathic Dispensary, 40 George street, was established in 1869, and in 1889 had 1,165 patients.

The Croydon Provident Dispensary, in Katharine street, has about 1,300 members.

Whitgift’s Hospital of the Holy Trinity, founded in 1596 and situated at North End, provides for 36 poor persons of the parishes of Croydon and Lambeth in equal numbers, and a warden, who must be resident: their appointment lies with the Archbishop of Canterbury; the buildings, which surround a well-turfed quadrangle, are of a good but plain Elizabethan type, and include a chapel at the south-east angle containing the Archbishop’s portrait and another, dated 1616, and supposed to be that of his daughter, as well as a curious picture in outline of Death with a Gravedigger; the hall contains some stained glass, and a folio Bible, given in 1599, by Abraham Hartwell, secretary to Whitgift; each of the 20 brothers receives £40 a year and the 16 sisters £30 each.

In Church street are Almshouses for seven poor people of both sexes, founded by Elys Davy, citizen and mercer of London, in the year 1447: the houses, plainly built of stone, were re-erected in the last century and added to in 1875; there are now 12 inmates, of whom each has £1 17s. monthly, eight sacks of coal twice a year, 7s. 6d. at Christmas, and a dole of bread. Smith’s, or the little Almshouses, situated in Pitlake, were founded previously to the year 1628 by Henry Smith, of Wandsworth, alderman of London, and were rebuilt in 1722 and enlarged in 1775; they are for 24 poor persons, each inmate receiving £1 9s. 4d. per month, alternate yearly sums of 10s. and 7s. 6d. a yearly allowance of coal and a dole of bread. The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, Freemason’s road, founded in 1860, is a structure of brick and stone in the Elizabethan style; this charity is for Freemasons or their widows, and there are at present 35 in-door pensioners, the men receiving £40 and the women £32 yearly, and each inmate has also two sacks of coal monthly and medical attendance. Williams’s Charity of £7 10s. yearly, derived from £250 Consols, and Wigsell’s rent-charge of 30s. yearly, are for bread; the rent of the Hermitage estate, about £34 yearly, is distributed in money.

The Convent of the Ladies of Mary, Tavistock road, Bedford park, was established in 1870 and enlarged in 1890; the sisters receive young ladies, to whom they offer a superior English and French education.

The Recreation Grounds, opened May 14th, 1890, include Wandle park, situated in the west ward, comprising some 20 acres of reclaimed marsh land and about 12 acres at Upper Norwood; the cost of acquiring and laying out the former was about £8,000) and of the latter £7,800.

The manor of Croydon, according to that distinguished antiquary, Dr. Andrew C. Ducael F.R.S., F.S.A, has belonged to the see of Canterbury since the time of William the Conqueror, who gave it to Archbishop Lanfranc. The ancient palace, situated near the east end of the parish church, and originally the manor house, the erection of which is attributed to Archbishop Langton, was for many centuries the residence of the Lords Primate: in July, 1573, Archbishop Parker entertained Queen Elizabeth here for seven days, and again in 1585, 1587 and 1588, when the Queen made her famous speech to Mrs. Parker; in 1600 Archbishop Whitgift also entertained the Queen: in 1780 the palace, not having been inhabited since its occupation by Archbishop Herring, who died in 1757, had become greatly dilapidated, and an Act of Parliament was obtained for the sale of the original buildings, which formed a large quadrangular court: the chapel on the north side, supposed to have been built by Archbishop Bourchier (1454—86), is a structure of brick and is now used as a girls’ school; the stalls bear the carved arms of Archbishops Laud and Juxon; the Hall (1443—52) 69 feet long by 48 wide, is divided into four bays, and has a fine open timber roof of Spanish chestnut, the principals resting on angel corbels bearing carved shields, with the arms of Archbishops Stafford (1443—52), Laud (1633—60), Juxon (1660—3), and Herring (1747—57), Henry, Earl of Stafford, and Humphrey, Duke of Buckingham (d. 27 July, 1460), and those of Henry VI.: the guard chamber, the work of Archbishop Courtenay and Arundel (1381—1414) measures 50 feet by 22 feet, and retains a small but fine oriel; the roof is vaulted in stone and springs from corbels bearing the arms of Arundel; south of the guard chamber are some traces of the cloisters: the porch and gateway of the palace are also worth notice. The mansion and estate of Addington Park, 3 ½ miles south-east from Croydon, were afterwards purchased with the proceeds of the sale of the old palace: the mansion was added to by the late Dr, Howley and has since been the residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury. Seisdon Park is now the seat of the Bishop of Rochester.

The soil is so various that “chalk, gravel, sand, clay and peat may be found in the same field.”

The area is 9,868 acres; rateable value, £603,716; the population in 1871 was 55,652 and in 1881, 78,953.

Croydon Union

The Board of Guardians meet fortnightly, on Tuesdays, at the Union Workhouse, in Queen’s road. The Union includes the following eleven parishes or places:-Addington, Beddington, Coulsdon, Croydon, Merton, Mitcham, Morden, Penge, Sanderstead, Wallington & Woodmansterne; the population of the union in 1881 was 119,161; rateable value in 1890, £946,212.

Workhouse, Queen's road; building of stone, built in 1866, to hold 640 inmates.

Places of Worship, with times of Services: —

St. John the Baptist (parish church). Church street, Rev. George Carnao Fisher M.A. vicar; Rev. C. B. Hutchinson M.A. examining chaplain to His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rev. H. E. Trimmer M.A. Rev. W. B. Taylor M.A. Rev. J. Oakley Coles A.K.C. & Rev. G. B. Vessey B.A. curates; 11 a.m. 3.30 & 7p.m.; daily (except Wed.), 10 a.m. & 5.30 p.m.; holy days, 10 a.m. & 5.30 or 8 p.m.

Christ Church, Sumner road. Broad green. Rev. Octavius Bathurst Byers M.A. incumbent; Rev. Charles Lee & Rev. John Kingscote Hawker B.A. curates; 11 a.m. 3.30 & 7 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

St. Andrew’s, Southbridge road, Rev. William Frederick Herbert Randolph B.A. vicar; Rev. Sidney Flatt B.A. curate; 8 & 11 a.m. 3.15, 3.45 & 7 p.m.; daily, 10.30 a.m. & 5 p.m.; Wed. 8 p.m.; Fri. 7.30 p.m.

St. Augustine’s, Brighton road, Rev. Charles Basset M.A. vicar; Rev. R. A. Westhays, curate; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 11 a.m. & 7.30 p.m.; Fri. 11 a.m.

St. James’, St. James’ road, Rev. Walter Richard Hickman B.A. vicar; Rev. J. Tomson B.A. curate; 11 a.m. 3.15 & 7 p.m.; Fri. & holy days 11 a.m. Wed. 7.30 p.m.

St. John the Evangelist, Shirley, Rev. William Wilks M.A. vicar; 11 a.m. & 3.30 p.m.

St. Mary Magdalene, Canning road, Addiscopibe, Rev. Henry Glover, vicar; Rev. Harry Arthur Serres, curate; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 11 a.m.; saints’ days, 11 a.m.; Lent & Advent, Wed. 8 p.m. Fri. 5 p.m.

St. Matthew’s, George street, Rev. Thomas Lilford Neil Causton M.A. vicar; Revs. W. Marrable & Charles H. Nash, curates; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.; Fri. 11.30 a.m.

St. Michael & All Angels, Poplar walk, Rev. Richard Whitehead Hoare A.K.C.L. vicar; Revs. William H. Hickson M.A. & R. M. Blakiston, curates; 7, 8, 10.45 & 11.30 a.m. & 3.45 & 7 p.m.; Mon. Tue. Thur. Sat. 7.30 a.m. & 5 p.m.; Wed. & Fri. 8 a.m. & 8 p.m.

St. Paul’s, St. Paul’s road, New Thornton heath, Rev. John Bennett M.A. vicar; 11 a.m. & 3.30 & 7 p.m.; Wed. & Fri. & holy days, 11 a.m.; Mon. Tue. & Sat. 5 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.

St. Peter’s, St. Peter’s road, South end, Rev. John White M.A. vicar; Rev. J. H. Champion McGill M.A. & Rev. R. M. Willis M.A. curates; 11 a.m. & 4 & 7 p.m.; daily 5 p.m. & 11 a.m. Wed. Fri. & all holy days.

St. Saviour’s, St. Saviour’s road, Rev. George Henry Kempe, jun. M.A. vicar; Rev. T. B. Willson M.A. Rev. D. W. Weir M.A. & Rev. E. Day M.A. curates; 8, 10.30 & 11.15 a.m. 4 & 7 p.m.; Mon. Tue. Thur. & Sat. 8.30 a.m. & 5 p.m.; Wed. & Fri. 10.30 a.m. & 5 p.m.

Catholic Church of Our Lady of Reparation, Wellesley road, The Rev. Very Canon Alphonsus David, Rev. John McKenna & Rev. James Groomes, priests; 8, 9.30 & 11 a.m. & 7 p.m. & Wed. at 7.30 p.m.

St. George’s Presbyterian Church, Oakfield road, Rev. A. N. Mackray M.A. minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Friends’ Meeting House, Park lane, 10.30 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 6.30 p.m.

Baptist (Salem), Windmill road, W. Horton, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Baptist (Providence), West street; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Baptist, Derby road. Rev. John Thurston, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Tue. 7.30 p.m.

Baptist (Memorial), Pawson’s road, ministers various; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Baptist, Tamworth road, ministers various; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Tue. 7 p.m.

Baptist, White Horse road, West Croydon, Rev. James Archer Spurgeon, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Mon. 8 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational (Christ Church), Addiscombe, erected 1881, Rev. G. Buchanan Ryley, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Mon. & Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, Bensham Manor road, Thornton heath, Rev. William J. Jupp, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational (Trinity), Dingwall road. Rev. Foster Lepine, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, George street, Rev. William Park, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, Aberdeen road. South Croydon, Rev. Josiah Alden Davies, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Congregational, Selhurst road, Rev. G. A. Brock B.A.; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Congregational, Broad green, Rev. J. P. Wilson, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Congregational, Beulah crescent, Thornton heath. Rev. W. J. Jupp, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Congregational (Salem), Tump pail, Old town, Rev. Charles Potter, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Free Christian Church (Unitarian), Wellesley road, Rev. Christopher J. Street M.A.; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.

The Brethren, London road; 7 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Grace road, ministers various; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, Wandle road. Rev. William Edward Crombie, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.

United Methodist Free Church, Moffatt road, New Thornton heath (erected 1880), Rav. John Stacey, minister; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon. & Wed. 7.30 p.m.

United Methodist Free Church, Old town, ministers various; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Tue. 7.15 p.m.

Wesleyan, Tamworth road, ministers various; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Lower Addiscombe road (erected in 1881, seats 700), Rev. Walter H. Price; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Wesleyan, Burdett road, ministers various; 11 a.m. & 6.30 p.m.; Mon. 7; Wed. 7.30 p.m.

MISSION ROOMS

St. Luke’s, Boulogne road; 11 a.m. & 4 p.m.; evensong 7 p.m.

St. Matthew’s, George street.

St. Mary's Hall, Oval road (in connection with St. Mary Magdalene, Addiscombe.)

St. Saviour’s, Queen’s road; 6.45 p.m.; Wed. 8 p.m.

Beacon United, Bell hill; 10.30 a.m. & 6 p.m.

Boston road, Rev. J. A. Spurgeon, minister; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Gillett road; 7 p.m.; Wed. 8 p.m.

Haling road, Seisdon road.

Handcroft road (Christ Church); Sun. 7 p.m.

Leslie Park road; 7 p.m.

London City Mission, Gloucester road, J. Barrow, missionary; 9.30 a.m. & 3.15 p.m.; Tue. 7.30 p.m.

London road (Congregational), various; Sun. 7 p.m.

People’s, Leighton street east; 6.30 p.m.

Pawson’s road (Memorial Hall); 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Thur. 7.30 p.m.

Strathmore road; 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Mon. 8 p.m.

Welcome Hall, Scarbrook road (in connection with St. John’s church); 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.

Westfield road, Pitlake (in connection with the parish church); 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Thur. 8 p.m.

Wildbore’s, Stanley grove (in connection with Christ Church); 11 a.m. & 7 p.m.; Thur. p.m.

Schools

Croydon Grammar (Archbishop Whitgift’s), North end, rebuilt in 1876, is a structure in the Elizabethan style, with a central tower containing a striking clock & bell: this noble foundation, as well as that of the Middle Class School, was founded by Archbishop Whitgift in 1596 as “The Hospital of the Holy Trinity,” & removed to its present site in 1871; the revenues of the foundation are also charged with the maintenance & support of not less than thirty poor brethren and sisters resident in the hospital: the school was reorganized under a new scheme in 1881, & has attached to it three exhibitions of the respective values of £50, £50 & £32, tenable at the Universities & vacant every three years: attached to the school is a rifle corps, which has been represented at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, & in 1881 carried off the Spencer cup: the affairs of the Whitgift Trust are managed by the following governors:-ex-officio, Rev. G. C. Fisher, vicar of Croydon, appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Alfred Carpenter M.D., J.P. Henry Goschen, J. Russell Frewer, C. Newton, S. L. Rymer J.P. H. J. Strong M.D. Justices of the Croydon Bench, Sir Thomas R. Edridge, John Corry; appointed by the Corporation, A. T. Layton & R. Barrow; appointed by the School Board.

Archbishop Tenison’s (Endowed) (boys), Seisdon road, built in 1852, for 100 boys; average attendance, 86.

Archbishop Tenison's (Endowed) (girls), Seisdon road, erected in 1852, for 117 children; average attendance, 90.

Archbishop Whitgift’s (middle school), Church road, William Ingrams, headmaster.

School of Art, George street, William Wallis, headmaster.

School of Science, 36 Park lane, Fredk. Wm. White, principal.

NATIONAL SCHOOLS

Christ Church, Longley road, built in 1863, for 117 boys, 120 girls & 209 infants; average attendance, 112 boys, 100 girls & 185 infants.

St. John’s (boys, girls & infants). Church road, built in 1883 & enlarged in 1889, for 249 boys, 300 girls & 300 infants; average attendance, 240 boys, 250 girls & 260 infants.

St. James’, Gloucester road, erected in 1853, for 410 children; average attendance, 112 boys, 115 girls & 107 infants.

St. John’s (boys, girls & infants), Shirley, built in 1850, rebuilt in 1885, for 120 boys, 110 girls & 110 infants; average attendance, boys 56, girls 51 & infants 41.

St. Peter’s (infant), Seisdon road, erected in 1863, for 200 children; average attendance, 140.

St. Saviour’s (boys), St. Saviour’s road, built in 1884, for 165 children; average attendance, 105.

St. Saviour’s (girls), St. Saviour’s road, built for 120 children; average attendance, 94.

St. Saviour’s (infants), St. Saviour’s road, for 63 children; average attendance, 55.

St. Andrew’s (girls & infants), Southbridge road, built in 1857, for 396 children; average attendance, 320.

St. Mary’s (Catholic) (mixed), Wellesley road, built in 1856 & enlarged in 1882 & 1889, for 300 children; average attendance, 220; Sisters of Mercy.

Convent of the Ladies of Mary, Tavistock Road, boarding & day school for young ladies; Rev. Mother Felicie, superioress.

Industrial (St. Mary’s Catholic), Wellesley road; conducted by Rev. Mother Camilus, lady superior & Sisters of Mercy.

Industrial Ragged (mixed), Hill street, built in 1850, for 200 children; average attendance, 183.

Good Shepherd (girls & infants), Union road, in connection with St. Michael & All Angels church, erected in 1871, for 120 children; average attendance (girls), 56; average attendance (infants), 54.

British, Tamworth road, built in 1847, for 400 boys & 250 girls; average attendance, 330 boys & 190 girls.

British (infants), Drayton road, built in 1852, for 120 children; attendance of 120.

School Board, Katherine street.

The board was formed in 1871 & consists of 13 members.

Clerk & Inspector, Barrow Rule F.C.P.

Attendance Officers, George Agate, St. Peter’s street; Alfred Bezant, Holmesdale road; Robert Lacy, 36 Waddon road; George Lawson, 31 Ion road, Thornton heath.

Board Schools: —

Princess road, erected in 1873, for 118 boys, as many girls, 168 juniors & 253 infants; average attendance, 95 boys, 82 girls, 153 juniors & 236 infants.

Beulah road, erected in 1872 & enlarged in 1882 & 1886, for 216 boys, 198 girls, 263 juniors & 310 infants; average attendance, 188 boys, 175 girls, 279 juniors & 333 infants.

Oval road, erected in 1872, for 141 boys, 113 girls, 183 juniors (mixed) & 325 infants; average attendance, 141 boys, 114 girls, 151 juniors & 232 infants.

Bynes road, Brighton road, erected in 1872, enlarged 1885, for 180 boys, 174 girls, 210 juniors & 360 infants; average attendance, 155 boys, no girls, 198 juniors & 304 infants.

Mitcham road, erected in 1879, for 209 boys, as many girls, 282 juniors & 335 infants; average attendance, 190 boys, 129 girls, 263 juniors & 323 infants.

Westbury road, Sydenham road north, erected in 1881, enlarged 1888, for 298 boys, 208 girls, 256 juniors & 329 infants; average attendance, 166 boys, 114 girls, 196 juniors & 264 infants.