Our Timeline

1552 The first 380 children are admitted to Christ’s Hospital in November

1553 Edward VI signs the Royal Charter founding Christ’s, St Thomas’s and Bridewell Hospitals

1566 First CH Scholar goes to Oxbridge

1582 Christ’s Hospital is given charge over licensing Cars and Carts in the City of London (ended in 1838)

1629 The Amicable Society of Blues is formed (the oldest dining club in the world still in existence)

1666 London Buildings destroyed in the Great Fire of London. All children survive

1673 Royal Mathematical School (RMS) is given its Royal Charter by King Charles II

1676 Samuel Pepys, instrumental in the early development of the RMS, is made a Governor of Christ’s Hospital

1682 Site is acquired in Hertford which was to remain as a CH boarding school for 300 years

1682 South Front is rebuilt, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. His entrance portico survives at Horsham

1687 The Parish Church of Christ Church, adjoining Christ’s Hospital and used for its worship, is rebuilt to designs by Sir Christopher Wren. The spire, added in 1704, is the only part which survives

1690 Antonio Verrio completes his massive painting celebrating the founding of the RMS. It still hangs in the Dining Hall, and gives its name to the Verrio Tours of the school for members of the public

1695 The Writing School is built at the expense of Sir John Moore, President of CH from 1684 to 1702

1705 The rebuilding after the Great Fire of the main parts of the London site is completed

1720 John and Frances West, who feature amongst the school’s greatest benefactors, fund the continuing Wests’ Gifts

1778 All girls join the younger boys in Hertford, where all CH girls were to be educated until 1985

1781 Start of the Golden Age, when Coleridge, Lamb and Leigh Hunt are at CH

1793 Start of the second great rebuilding of the London site, which was completed in 1836

1800 Christ’s Hospital introduces its own currency (known as Housey Money) which was used until 1862

1826 RMS boys draw the tickets at the State Lottery for the last time, having done so since at least 1710

1829 Opening of the Great Hall. An organ is acquired for the Great Hall, now in Big School at Horsham

1837 Senior Grecian gives a Loyal Address to Queen Victoria in accordance with ancient custom

1845 Visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to a Public Supper at Christ’s Hospital

1854 George, Duke of Cambridge, is appointed the first Royal President of Christ’s Hospital

1868 The School Band is formed

1891 New Scheme of Administration for running Christ’s Hospital is introduced

1892 System of fees being paid for education is first introduced

1897 Foundation stone is laid at Horsham by Edward, Prince of Wales

1902 All boys move to Horsham and girls take over the whole of the Hertford site

1912 Corbett Wilson, aeronaut, lands at Christ’s Hospital on his way from Paris to Farnborough

1913 Frank Brangwyn begins to paint the 16 murals in the Chapel, completed in 1923

1920 War Memorial is unveiled. At least 358 Old Blues and 25 members of staff gave their lives

1930 New Science School is opened by the Prince of Wales

1932 Dominions Library is opened by the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Maurice Jenks

1946 First memorial Service for those who died in the Second World War. 213 Old Blues gave their lives

1948 First full Beating Retreat ceremony takes place at the school, a continuing tradition

1951 CH wins the Public Schools rugby sevens tournament

1953 Senior Grecian gives Loyal address to Queen Elizabeth II

1966 Preparatory School for boys under 11 is closed and is renamed Leigh Hunt

1972 Demolition of the original Christ’s Hospital station buildings

1974 The band plays at the Lord Mayor’s show for the first time, a continuing tradition today

1974 The Theatre building is completed

1985 Closure of school at Hertford and the merger of the girls’ school with the boys’ school at Horsham

1987 The school’s Community Action Programme is established

1990 The Sports Centre is opened by the Duke of Gloucester, the President of Christ’s Hospital

1994 The CH Museum is opened by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu

1998 The Housing development at Bluecoat Pond is established

2001 Separate Houses are built for the Grecians

2003 Visit to the school by its Patron, Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh

2015 Language and Resource Centre (LARC) opened

2019 150th Celebration of the founding of the CH Band