History

A Quick History of St Mark's College

1920    The Reverend K Julian F. Bickersteth moved, and Sir Lancelot Stirling seconded, a motion in the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Adelaide, on 7th September, that a committee be appointed to consider what steps should be taken to establish a college for students of the University of Adelaide.

1921    In its report to the Synod on the 8th September, the committee recommended the establishment of the College be proceeded with as soon as possible and that it be open to students of all denominations.  The report was adopted and a Provisional Committee was formed in December.  This Committee continued to act until a permanent governing body was elected in the form of a Council four years later.

1922    A public meeting was held in the Adelaide Town Hall on the 29th May which led to the formation of a large General Committee and an Executive Committee to found the College.

1923    An Appeal for donated funds was launched to establish the College and an Agreement was made to purchase the historic Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide former residence of the Downer family.  Situated close to the University, this heritage listed property was built in 1877.Downer house

1924    The name "St Mark's" was chosen for the new College to honour the saint on whose day the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli took place.  Archibald Grenfell Price was appointed as its first Master on the 17th December.

1925    The first St Mark's College Council was elected.  The first General Meeting of the Common Room (St Mark's College Club) was held on Wednesday, 11th March.  On Sunday, 25th March, the College was opened by the Governor, Lieutenant-General Sir Tom Bridges, and blessed by Bishop Nutter Thomas.  The College coat of arms was devised and the first edition of the College "Record" published.

1926    Opening of the first stage of the "New Wing" (i.e. the first 20 rooms of what is now Newland Building).

1927    Six rooms added to the "New Wing" and space found for additional residents in rental accommodation nearby.  The St Mark's Collegians' Association. was established in November.  A gymnasium occupied the ground floor of the old stable building (now the Chapel).

1928    Purchase of "The Cottage" (the College's oldest heritage listed building dating from 1839 now known as "Walkley Cottage") and construction of an external wooden staircase to access the upstairs Common Room in Downer House.  The Wranglers' Club (hospitality and debating) was established and the first Bumping Races were held on the River Torrens.

1934    The third stage of building added six more rooms to the "New Wing".  The loft of the old stable building (now the Chapel) was converted into a library and lecture room.  St Mark's played its first inter-Collegiate football match defeating Melbourne's Trinity College in Adelaide.

1937    The fourth stage of building increased the accommodation in the "New Wing" by a further 12 rooms.  The Dining Hall, situated in what is now the Junior Common Room, was extended westward by means of a Collegians' Appeal.

1939    A domestic staff block, later named "Lewis House", was built on the College's Kermode Street frontage.

1940    In December, the College was leased to the R.A.A.F. for the duration of World War II and the students were relocated to two lodging houses and a villa in Kermode Street where common meals and tutorial rooms were provided.  Numbers continued to fall in subsequent years.

1946    The College reopened on the 10th March and the loft of the stable building (part of the original purchase of the Downer property) was converted to a small Chapel known as "The Oratory".  Mr Robert Brook Lewis was appointed as Vice-Master.

1947    A fifth building stage added another six rooms to the "New Wing", providing 50 rooms in all.  Some of the additions made by the R.A.A.F. during their occupation were purchased by the College.

1948    The old Dining Hall was extended northwards.  Two external buildings were leased to provide extra accommodation.  The publication, the College "Record", was enlarged to become "The Lion".

1949    "North House" in Kermode Street, North Adelaide, was purchased by the College.  Rental accommodation to house growing numbers included "Montefiore" (now Aquinas College).  The College celebrated its silver Jubilee.

1951    In the third term, the first stage of Memorial Building (the central section) was available for occupation.  The College Coat of Arms was formally granted by The College of Arms, London.

1952    Opening of the first stage of Memorial Building by the Governor, Sir Willoughby Norrie, on the 20th April, and unveiling of the plaque bearing the names of eighteen members of the College who gave their lives in the war.

1953    The "New Wing" was renamed in honour of Sir Henry Simpson Newland, a founder, Foundation Fellow and former Chairman of the Council for more than 25 years.  The College expanded its Pennington Terrace frontage with the acquisition of the "Randell property " (Grenfell Price Lodge).

1955    The old Dining Hall was extended southwards.  The table tennis room and bicycle sheds were fitted out.

1956    Retirement of Dr. Archibald Grenfell Price after serving as Master for 32 years.

1957    Appointment of the Vice-Master, Mr Robert Brook Lewis, as the second Master of the College.Tenniscourtsanddininghall

1961    The new Grenfell Price Dining Hall was opened for use on March 17th, with 15 bed-study rooms and loft above.  The old Turner Dining Hall became the Junior Common Room.

1962    Two cottages known as "Cain and Abel" on the western boundary of the College's Kermode Street frontage in use.  Creswell flats purchased.

1963    East House (also known as "east Umbria") in use.

1964    The sixth and final stage of Newland Building was completed and the whole building renovated.  The figures of St Mark and the Lion fountains were presented to the College by the Downer family.

1965     The Library moved from the old stable building to Grenfell Price Hall and the Chapel was renovated.

1966    The western extension of Memorial Building was occupied in first term.  The Middle Common Room was instituted for senior undergraduates or members of the Junior Common Room with their first degrees.  A College icon, "The Gas Truck", a 1926 Dodge, was purchased and rebuilt by students at St Mark's for its new role as a means of transport for College residents.

1967    Replacement of the timber Senior Common Room external stairway with a solid construction.  Retirement of the Master R B Lewis.

1968    Rev'd Malcolm McKenzie, Chaplain of St Mark's College, was appointed as the third Master.  The eastern extension of Memorial Building was completed in August.  The Kermode Street wall and bicycle sheds were also completed.  Renovations were carried out to North and East Houses.

1969    The College Clock on the Grenfell Price hall wall was presented by Lady Angas.

1970    The heritage listed Hawker House (built in 1883) was occupied by the College for the first time.

1972    North House in Kermode Street was sold.

1973    East House was converted into two town houses and Creswell Flats renovated.  The Gas Truck was restored.

1975    Celebration of the College's first 50 years at a Golden Jubilee.

1976    Chapel loft partially removed.  Installation of chapel altar.

1978    Dr. Peter Geoffrey Edwards succeeded Rev'd Malcolm McKenzie as the fourth Master of the College.

1981    Cain and Abel cottages renovated.  Abbot Lane cottages demolished to make way for car park.  Demolition of old R.A.A.F. addition to Lewis House and new extension completed.

1982    Women undergraduates first admitted to the College.  "The Cottage" renovations were completed and the building re-opened as "Walkley Cottage".  Resignation of Dr Peter Edwards as Master of the College.

1983    Rev'd Peter Thomson installed as the fifth Master of St Mark's.

1984    Creswell flats renovated

1985    The College celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

1988    A R LeMessurier Computer Room established in Downer House.

1989    Hawker Annexe renovations commenced to provide a total of 16 rooms.

1990    Resignation of the Master, Rev'd Peter Thomson.

1991    Mr C Robin Ashwin appointed as the sixth Master of St Mark's College.  Opening of the Brooks Gates on the College's Pennington Terrace frontage.

1992    Television Room adjacent to Chapel completed.

1996    Opening of New Cain flats.  New Kawaii RX-2 Grand Piano installed in Senior Common Room.  A weights room and a new music room made available.

1997    College computer room upgraded and internet website available.

1999    Master Robin Ashwin retired in December

2000    The Hon John Charles Bannon appointed as the seventh Master of the College.

2001    Cabling of the College buildings and the installation of Sunray computers in student rooms.  Demolition of old Cain and Abel cottages.

2002    "New Abel" flats opened. and Walkley Cottage renovated.

2003    Lift installed to provide disabled access to the upper level of Downer House.

2004    Restoration of The Gas Truck.

2005    Opening of the Allister McLeod Sports Pavilion on the 6th March.

Flats2007    Opening of the Matheson and Wall Buildings which respectively join the western and eastern sides of the Lewis Building with its newly constructed second level on Sunday, 25th February.  Upgrading of the pond area through the "Buy a Brick" appeal.  A sound-proof music room created adjacent to the Chapel.  Resignation of the Master, Dr the Hon J C Bannon AO

2008    Installation of the former Dean of the College, Ms Rose Alwyn, as the eighth Master of St Mark's and the first female in this role.