Ridley College - History

History

Established in 1889, the school was founded by a group of Anglican clergymen intending to provide boys in Ontario with an education that emphasized strong academic and religious values. Named after Bishop Nicholas Ridley, a 16th century English churchman martyred during the Protestant Reformation, the school was originally known as Bishop Ridley College.

The school's first campus, known as the Springbank campus, was integrated into the then-recently closed hotel of the same name constructed in 1864 by Dr. Theophilus Mack on Yates Street in St. Catharines. In 1903, the Springbank campus was destroyed as a result of a fire. The school was rebuilt on the site of its current campus, the address and street name of which soon became known as Ridley Road. The cornerstone of the Upper School building was laid in 1904. The first dormitory, Dean's House, was built in 1907.

The school experienced rapid growth and expansion (both population and campus-wise) for approximately the next three decades, including the building of academic and athletic facilities, and the Memorial Chapel, dedicated to Ridleians who lost their lives in World War I. Ferdinand Herbert Marani of Mariani & Paisley designed several buildings at Ridley. These include the Lower School building, (1926-27), the residence for H.G. Williams, Headmaster (1929), Schmon Health Centre (1949), and the Memorial Great Hall (1949). The Memorial Great Hall and list of honour plaque were dedicated in 1950 to Old Ridleians killed in the Second World War.