Blue plaque to tell history of gothic baptist college

A blue plaque from Leeds Civic Trust will be put up on Saturday at Woodlands Drive, Rawdon, to commemorate the former Rawdon Baptist College.

It will be unveiled by regional minister of the Yorkshire Baptist Association Rev Ernie Whalley. It will read: "From 1859 to 1964 in the peaceful seclusion of this striking Tudor Gothic college, erected by the Northern Baptist Education Society, young men were trained for the ministry of the Gospel.

"Its library, teaching rooms and principal's residence occupied the central building with student apartments on either side."

The new college was opened on September 4, 1859, with a devotional service in the library conducted by Rev Henry Dawson.

Sir Frank Crossley, of Halifax, presided over the meeting of 700 people which was attended by Sir Titus Salt, the industrialist creator of Saltaire.

The cost of the building was more than 12,000 and a debt of 2,000 remained. An earnest appeal to the influential members of society who were present produced promises of 1,300.

After the move to Rawdon, the raising of academic standards became increasingly important.

Students were prepared for degrees at London University from 1852 and in 1904 Rawdon become affiliated to the new Leeds University.

At the outbreak of war in 1939 there were 30 men in college, but by 1944 just four students remained and it closed, but re-opened in 1946.

Later, after several earlier attempts, Rawdon and Manchester College merged. From 1964 to 1975, Rawdon College was used as a hall of residence by students by nearby Trinity and All Saints' Teacher Training College.

In 1979 the college buildings were re-developed into 18 homes.