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 Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2011 with funding from 
 Duke University Libraries 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/bishopsschoolpriOObath 
 

 DIOCESE OF CEIFTON 
 
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 The BISHOP'S School 
 
 -@>o<^ 
 
 PRIOR PARK. BATH, 
 
\Lhc ^liTihop^i School, 
 
 PRIOR PARK, BATH. 
 
 HE Prior Park Estate formed in pre-Reformatioii days the 
 Country Estate and sLimnier residence of the Priors of Bath 
 Abbey. The magnificent pile ot l)uildin^s now forming- the 
 
 Colleo-e was commenced by Ralph Allen in 1742 from desii^ns of the 
 
 g-reat Architect Wood. 
 
 During" Allen's lifetime the Mansion House was the resort of many 
 men eminent in various walks of life — PVederick, Prince of Wales, the 
 elder Pitt, Pope, P'ielding, Smollett, Garrick and Gainsborough were his 
 frequent guests. 
 
 The estate passed from the Allen family in 1807, and was purchased 
 by Bishop Baines in 1829. 
 
 The Bishop built the two Colleges which form the wings of the 
 original Mansion, and established a School for Junior and also for 
 Ecclesiastical Students which did excellent work for many years, 
 notwithstanding the difficulties under which Catholics then laboured. 
 
 In January, 1856, the School was discontinued, but was re-opened 
 by Bishop Clifford in 1867, and the greatest exertions were made by that 
 venerable and saintly Prelate to improve the Colleges and bring them 
 thoroughly abreast of modern requirements. 
 
 The beautiful Roman Church was opened on the occasion of 
 Bishop Clifford's Jubilee in 1882. 
 
 On his death in 1893, the Mansion House and Colleges were leased 
 to the Irish Christian Brothers, who for seven years carried on an ex- 
 cellent School. It was felt, however, that, contrary to its second founder's 
 intentions, the establishment had ceased to be a centre of diocesan 
 interests, and accordingly one of the first cares of Bishop Burton on his 
 accession to the See of Clifton was to bring it into close touch with the 
 Diocese by resuming its immediate direction and control. 
 

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The Junior School will be carried on at St. Peter's College, which 
 forms the eastern winL^-. It is equipped with every modern comfort tor 
 young boys, and the domestic arrangements being carefully looked after by 
 an experienced Matron. There is a well stocked Library for the use of 
 the junior Scholars, who have a separate play-ground and play -rooms. 
 
 The Senior Scho(^l is carried on at St. Paul's College, which forms 
 the western wing. This is intended for older boys. Each Student has a 
 separate bedroom. 
 
 The Students have a Library of suitable books, and a well equipped 
 Physical and Chemical Laboratory. 
 
 The general arrangements of the Colleges include a large tepid 
 swimming bath, playing fields, a Gymnasium, and some t,o acres of 
 beautiful woods and park. 
 
 The Bishop's scheme is to provide an Education which shall include 
 not only a good classical tr.u'ning. but also a thorough commercial course 
 well calculated to enable boys to enter with confidence of success upon 
 business pursuits. 
 
 Students are prepared for any Public Examination useful for the 
 Professions they may intend to join. 
 
 The greatest care is taken not only to train boys systematically in 
 morality and in the practice of their religion, but also to so instruct them 
 in the knowledge of religious dogma and history as to enable them to 
 hold their own in matters of faith when thrown into non-Catholic 
 surroundings. 
 
 J^or />ros/>i'c//(S and all particulars apply to : — 
 
 THE PRESIDENT. 
 
 PRIOR PARK, 
 
 BATH. 
 
WatcrUzv &~ Sons Limited, 
 
 Printers, 
 
 London ll'n//, London. 
 
 
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