Dockland Settlements

The Docklands Settlements were a network of amenity centres in deprived areas of London, intended to meet the social and spiritual needs of the local population at a time when there was no public provision of such services. The settlements originated in 1894 with the foundation of the Malvern Mission in Canning Town, by the staff of Malvern College. Under the leadership of Reginald Kennedy-Cox and others, during the first half of the 20th century the Malvern Mission was greatly expanded. Renamed "Dockland Settlement No. 1", it became the hub from which subcentres were established throughout east London, and in several provincial cities. After the Second World War and the expansion of the Welfare State, the focus of activities changed; in the 1950s Dockland Settlement No. 1 became the Mayflower Centre, with overtly Christian aims. Other settlements continued to serve their communities (some of which were now far more prosperous) with a variety of social, sporting and cultural facilities, and were still functioning well into the 21st century.

In 1894, as part of a general movement in which English public schools and universities promoted social and religious work in deprived areas of London, the Malvern Mission was established at Vincent Street in Canning Town by Malvern College. The objective of these missions, was stated as "to carry on the church's work amongst her people from both a religious and a social point of view and to be a centre of religious influence and social good". A secondary purpose was to promote in boys and young men from more privileged backgrounds a sense of social responsibility towards the less fortunate. Among the Malvern schoolboys who spent part of their holidays working at the Malvern Mission was Reginald Kennedy-Cox, who would eventually devote his entire life to the work.

Vincent Street in Canning Town was by repute, in 1894, one of the worst streets in London. It was here, on a plot of ground provided by a supporter, that an iron mission church, St Alban and the English Martyrs, was built. The Rev G.F Gillett was appointed as the first Missioner. The church became a centre for a number of clubs and societies meeting a variety of practical and spiritual needs. In 1905 Kennedy-Cox, who had achieved success as a playwright with several plays on the London stage, resumed his volunteer work at the mission. In 1907 he decided to commit himself fully to the venture, gave up his theatrical career became a full-time mission staff member. Life in the early years of the mission was described as follows:

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