Canon Laurence Toole, from the Parish of St Wilfrid’s in Hulme, approaches Mother Teresa Ball, inviting her to send a community of the sisters to teach some 3000 children in need of education in his parish. The first foundation of Loreto Sisters is established in Manchester, England.
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After two very difficult years, the sisters are able to move out of the presbytery into Brookside House, Moss Lane, purchased in March for £1300. There are only three boarders in the school and a decision is taken to sell some of the furniture to relieve financial stress. However, Mother Teresa rallies to their support and the work of the IBVM manages to continue.
Margaret Alphonsa Ellis becomes the new superior in Manchester. The memoirs portray her a ‘broadminded, full of wisdom, generous and indomitable courage; in fact a noble and valiant woman.’
The day pupils are installed in a separate new school.
This had been developed from the building in the grounds which was used as a coach house by the original tenants. This is later demolished and in 1879 a new day school, a Higher Grade School, is built.
The Convent Chapel is consecrated by Bishop Vaughan.
The school continues to expand and by 1900 the sisters have charged of a boarding school and a large Higher Grade Day School on the Convent property, plus the schools of St Wilfrid’s, St Lawrence’s, the Holy Name, and the Holy Family, a total of over 2300 children.
Loreto becomes a Direct Grant Secondary School for girls.
A foundation in St Albans is made. A Loreto school continues to thrive there to the present day.
Loreto becomes a Direct Grant Secondary School for girls.
Part of the Convent (St Michael’s Wing) is destroyed in the blitz.
The school becomes a Direct Grammar School for girls.
Loreto becomes a co-educational sixth form college, and continues to serve the needs of the Manchester area – a vibrant institution at the heart of Manchester’s inner-city regeneration and part of the global network of Loreto Colleges run by the Sisters in every continent.
