St Mary’s at 125: looking forward to a pioneering future

Our history

When six female students were granted scholarships in 1897, there were no University buildings dedicated to house them. In 1899, The Women’s Hostel was established in rented accommodation at 33, Claypath and Miss Laura Maria Roberts was appointed as Principal.

In 1900, Elizabeth Robinson, who had taught at Durham High School for Girls, was appointed to replace Miss Roberts and in early 1901, the students moved to Abbey House.

In 1919, the Hostel was accepted as a College of the University, being renamed St Mary’s, and the increasing number of female students were rehomed to No.8, the College, where they remained until moving to the current location.

In 1947, Princess Elizabeth laid the foundation stone for the new college building, and works were completed in 1952.

St Mary’s permanent home was designed by architect Vincent Harris, with considerable input from the then Principal, Margaret Fergusson, to temper the architect’s ideas with the practicalities of the needs of a women’s college. The main building, which came to be called the Fergusson Building, was joined by the Williamson Building in 1962 and by a new hall (the Kenworthy Hall) and atrium in 1993 to become the set of buildings which forms St Mary’s College today.

Miss Fergusson was Principal until 1955, followed by Dr Marjorie Williamson, Mary Holdsworth, Irene Calvert and then Joan Kenworthy from 1977 until 1999, taking the College through to its centenary year.

The growth of student numbers in that second half century brought with it more opportunities to engage in wider student activities, most organised through the Junior Common Room (JCR). In 1979 the JCR took the decision to rename the role of ‘Senior Woman’ to ‘President’ of the JCR and, in 1996, in recognition to the amount which the role has grown to encompass, it became a paid sabbatical role for a student to take on for a year after they had completed their degree.

Over a century after its foundation, St Mary’s admitted men for the first time in 2005. 92 male undergraduates were admitted, making up over 40 per cent of the intake in that year. The then Principal, Jenny Hobbs, said: “We are preparing to become a distinctive college for women and men. We are proud of the diversity of our students and strive to inspire all who enter with a belief in achieving their own potential, not only in the world of academia but in many walks of life.”

Celebrating enduring spirit

St Mary’s’ 125th anniversary year is a celebration of our rich history and the remarkable journey of St Mary’s College. From the pioneering women of that first academic year of 1899-1900, to the inspiring and diverse community of today, the indomitable spirit of St Mary’s remains constant.

It is fitting that in the year of St Mary’s Anniversary, the College is remembering two of its community who continue to impact the lives of students of the present and future. It is with fondness, gratitude and sadness that the College remembers alumna Margaret Bloomfield and former Principal, Joan Kenworthy, who both died recently.

These inspirational women have acknowledged their time at Durham through gifts in their will. Their legacies will prove transformational for Mary’s students and for the College.

Margaret Bloomfield
(English Literature, St Mary’s College, 1944-47)

Margaret remembered Durham, and specifically St Mary’s College, in her will with the words “In gratitude for my four happy years at St Mary’s which made possible my rewarding career”.

Following what is believed to be the largest single donation to the College, a series of scholarships and bursaries in Margaret Bloomfield’s name were formally announced by Principal Professor Adrian Simpson at a dinner to celebrate the 125th anniversary. He said: “Miss Bloomfield’s ongoing support for the College is typical of the sense of belonging which successive generations of our community have fostered. We are full of admiration for her lifelong commitment to education and grateful for the support of all of our generous benefactors.”

While the College has a number of existing generous donations supporting students from lower income households, these are the first permanently endowed, fully-financed scholarships in St Mary’s College’s 125-year history.

The scholarships will be awarded to students from lower income households, and it is planned that at any one time, there will be up to five Margaret Bloomfield scholars at varying stages of their undergraduate studies.

Margaret’s legacy will also fund a number of bursaries to ensure as many students as possible can benefit from the collegiate experience, regardless of financial circumstances.

After reading English Literature at Durham, Margaret undertook a further year’s study to obtain her teaching qualification. After completing her studies, she had a long and fulfilling career in education, at the time becoming one of very few female secondary school Head Teachers.

Margaret had met her two closest friends even before arriving at St Mary’s; they met on the platform at Doncaster railway station whilst waiting for the train to Durham. The three were lifelong friends and Margaret remained in close contact with the family of Margaret’s good friend Lucy Fields.

Joan Kenworthy (College Principal, 1977-99)

Joan was one of the longest serving Principals of St Mary’s College, having led the College between 1977 and 1999. In those 22 years she was the driving force in its development. This included overseeing a considerable expansion, adding the conference hall behind the dining room and an additional wing on what is now the Williamson Building. She was instrumental in building the warm relationship with Teikyo University which remains strong to this day. She also generously endowed a prize in the College for student leadership.

Her significant contribution as Principal of St Mary’s is recognised by the naming of Kenworthy Hall in the Fergusson Building.

At a College memorial event to remember her, current Principal, Professor Simpson announced that Joan Kenworthy had left a legacy to the College. Part of the gift was an annual award in her mother’s memory: the Amy Cobbold Music Award. Joan’s mother was a talented musician and the award will be made to the student who makes the most important contribution to music in the College.

During the celebration, a painting of Joan by artist Jane Kitching was unveiled. The artwork incorporates extracts from letters from students at the time illustrating the important role her support and guidance had played in their lives. The work will be hung in the Kenworthy Hall.