The charity has been intimately connected with the city of Winchester for over 900 years, the original St John’s Hospital being the focal point for civic and community life in medieval Winchester. The charity received significant bequests from the Devenish family in the 13th Century and a prominent London-based Elizabethan merchant, Ralph Lamb.
St John’s Winchester is an amalgamation of several charities including Mary Magdalen which operated a leper hospital outside Winchester and Christes’ Hospital founded by Peter Symonds, another London merchant who founded a local school.
The charity has been involved in supporting the community for many centuries. At one time a school was run from St John’s House and financial support given to fund local apprenticeships and start-up funds for local businesses. The grandfather of our previous chair, Richard Steel, benefited from this type of provision!
The modern charity dates back to the 1830s when its assets were taken out of city administration and transferred to an independent trust. The charity has supported people of all ages who were lacking means, but in the 20th Century and beyond, care and support have been focused on older people.
Click here to read more about our history.
Nine Centuries of Care
Nine Centuries of Care: A History of St John’s Winchester Charity’ was published in 2016. It uncovers previously unknown details and challenges some elements of previous histories.
Priced at just £7.99, copies are available from the St John’s Winchester office on 01962 854 226, or by emailing office@stjohnswinchester.co.uk.
All proceeds from the sale of books will be donated back to the charity and help support our work delivering care to older people of limited financial and other means.
01962 854 226
office@stjohnswinchester.co.uk