Since 1930, St. George’s Crypt has been there to meet the needs of the homeless and the vulnerable in the city of Leeds. This is our history.
1930
Don Robins arrives at St. George’s Church as Vicar in 1930 and quickly notices the unemployment and poverty surrounding Leeds. Beneath the church is a Victorian Crypt which he converts into a soup kitchen and opens publically to anybody.
Though very small initially, it didn't stop large crowds arriving to the soup kitchen and also provided enough space for men to stay the night.
1931—1937
A Women's Centre which provided food, clothing and opportunities for day trips for the poor of the parish was created. Fellowship House was also established which allowed servicemen to meet and provided monthly meetings for families of prisoners of war.
An appeal leaflet from 1934 explaining what the Crypt is and what it does. Written by Don Robins, it explains how The Crypt has helped 58,000 men to shelter for the night since January 1931.
War widows and their families were supplied with food and clothing and church members were rallied to provide support for immigrants who had been brought to the UK to work in the mills; many of whom had been prisoners of war.
1938
Due to the significant impact of the Crypt since its opening, an extension was built to the church school which could also serve as a church hall. The church started to support groups for Men, Women and the young, including Scouts and Guides, further increasing the importance of the church and Crypt in Leeds.
The approximate cost of maintaining the Crypt in 1934 was a huge £20 per week and had 500 men coming for food and drink on a daily basis.
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During World War II, Don’s ministry shifted to support those affected, with the night shelter becoming an air raid shelter. After the War, the Crypt reinvented itself to meet the changing needs from those seeking work to men seeking rehabilitation and shelter.
A young family taking shelter at the Crypt in the late 40s. Supported by staff at the Crypt, they will have been provided with food, drink and a safe place to keep warm over the coming months.
1948
On 11th January, at the age of 48, Crypt founder Don Robins passed away unexpectedly. There was concern that the Crypt may struggle without Don’s indomitable style and commitment to the cause, until a young, enthusiastic clergyman called Tony Waite was appointed.
The turnout for Don Robins funeral on 3rd February was incredible, with mass crowds visiting and clergy travelling from great distance to pay their respects.
Wilfred Pickles brought his ‘Have a Go’ radio broadcast team from the BBC to help raise awareness of the Crypt; something unprecedented at the time as historically the BBC had a policy that no charities could be endorsed by the programme.
1949
To continue Don’s work, Tony Waite sets up a committee to oversee the day-to-day business of running the soup kitchen and night shelter, which was now catering for many rough sleepers and homeless men. The war left many people emotionally scarred with alcoholism becoming a major issue as well as the continuing increase in numbers of homeless and jobless people.
At the age of 17 P. D. Robins earnt a commision in the Royal Flying Corps. He qualified for his wings two months later, flying V.I.P’s out of France. Amongst those he flew was Lawrence of Arabia. In 1919, he received the Air Force Cross directly from King George V.
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Richard de Curcery Allen became Crypt Warden. Coming from a privileged background he might have seemed an unlikely candidate for such a position. However, as a university student he spent his holidays working with homeless and vulnerable adults in reception centres and hostels across the UK.
1954
Faith Lodge was established to provide sustained care in the environment of a home and also had a ‘move on’ service, allowing people to safely integrate back into society once they were ready.
Work extended to providing support through a daytime drop-in centre for women and families too. In the first nine months of 1954, about 50% of the residents were resettled into society.
1955
A young Don Patterson, a man who went on to become well-known amongst Leeds homeless community, and well-loved by the city of Leeds for his years of humble dedication and work at the Crypt, arrived in Leeds as a student of Psychology and Sociology.
He forged a strong working relationship with Richard Allan, based in his love of God, love for the work of the Crypt and love for the vulnerable people that came every day.
1956—1958
Raymond Turvey succeeded Tony Waite as the vicar of St George’s Church and became well known for his sermons and Bible Studies. As a result of reorganisation of parish boundaries, St Andrew's Church closed and St George's took over its school.
Crypt News, 1956. Explaining the ‘Great New Experiment’ relating to the Quick-Earning Centre which helps men to integrate back into society through paid light-work jobs.
At Christmas, during the 50’s, volunteers at the Crypt would make up decorated Christmas trees. They would then dress up as Father Christmas and deliver the trees to impoverished families. One such Father Christmas was Don Robins’ son, Ian
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For some years the Crypt had been planning on establishing a centre for impoverished women with children. In 1960 the Crypt received a bequest of £1,000 specifically for such a project. Crypt House, or Hope House as it later became, was the only place in Leeds at the time where homeless mothers could stay with their children.
This innovative spirit - to test out and pilot new endeavours that positively change the lives of some of the most vulnerable in our society, has been a fact throughout the Crypt’s history, from its inception to the present day.
1962
Richard Allen and his wife Molly left Faith Lodge in 1962. Their place was filled by the same young man who earlier had volunteered as a student with the charity, Don Patterson. He remained as warden of Faith Lodge up until 1968.
1967
The Crypt became a registered charity in February 1967. The Trust Deed stated its objects as: “The relief of poverty, hardship, sickness and distress among needy and destitute persons.” It was at this point that the Board of Trustees was founded with two ex-officio trustees (the Archdeacon of Leeds and the Vicar of St George’s Church) and seven appointed by name.
During the 60’s and 70’s there were regular requests during Sunday worship in St George’s Church for a doctor to support the health needs of the Crypt clients. This led to the establishment of a voluntary service in the Crypt staffed by Christian doctors.
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The Crypt was built on the idea that everyone is welcome, that we will never turn anyone away, that everyone should receive God's love. This is summed up here as in Matthew 25:35-40.
1973
Leeds is home to a thriving branch of the Christian Medical Fellowship. Dr. Robert Keighley, an active member of St. George's Church and trustee at the Crypt realised that the need for healthcare was great and constant. He and 8 other like-minded G.P’s gave their time voluntarily to offer a surgery three times a week at night in the Crypt.
Dr Robert Keighley’s surgery won plaudits from many notable doctors across the country. It became so well regarded that the Professor of Community Medicine at Leeds University sent students there to ensure they had a full understanding of the health needs of a British city.
1975
Reverend Don Paterson returns to the Crypt as its Warden, after serving as Warden of Faith Lodge for six years. He said that he knew his earlier dream must have a natural explanation but couldn’t be sure that it did not bear on his decision to return.
1976
Another hostel of St George's Crypt was opened - situated in Hyde Park - in 1976. The hostel was named Regent Terrace and was another safe space for residents of the Crypt to reside.
In one month in 1975, 282 patients used the Crypt’s GP service. There were 44 alcoholics, 35 bronchitics, 40 with skin sepses, 24 schizophrenics, 17 epileptics and 12 people with severe depression. None of these conditions had been diagnosed previously.
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The Crypt looked very different to how it is today. In the 80’s and beyond the main clients of the Crypt were men, who were still sleeping on church pews in one small room. They would sleep fully dressed with their shoes and coats as pillows in case someone tried to steal their meagre belongings.
1986
St George’s Crypt provides meals for homeless and vulnerable people using a soup ticket system, both for administrative purposes and for knowing who was using the service. We phased out the ticket system in 1991. We started charging a nominal fee for meals after a consultation with clients found that they wanted to give something for the meals they were receiving.
In 2012 we brought out a voucher scheme that allowed members of the public to buy a book of 5 vouchers to give to people who were street homeless and begging, as a way of signposting them to our free service.
1988
St George’s Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1988. The commemorative booklet for that occasion stated: “The work of the Crypt is respected throughout the Church of England and beyond. It is crucial they are kept spiritually and practically together”.
“Carrying her home in two carrier bags” An appeal leaflet from 1988.
1989
Our Family department has been running for almost 2 decades in some form. We offer families a place to pray, to study and share in faith the love of Christ, to engage with support and receive food and clothing.
Whilst Don Patterson ran the Crypt, the centre closed for the month of August for cleaning and decorating. Now St George’s Crypt is a 24/7/365 days a year enterprise and all repairs have to happen concurrent to service delivery.
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In early 1990, the charity restructured the management and day to day running of it’s work. A church plant in the parish, known as St George's Community Church, was also established.
1991
May 1990 marked the sudden death of Don Paterson. After a thorough review of the Crypt, a new appointment of a Senior Social Worker, Peter Sanders (pictured) was made, to lead their work into the future.
1995
Trustees launched a major capital appeal called ‘More than a roof’ in 1995. This was in response to an increasing urgency to significantly update the Crypt’s facilities.
“When there’s nothing good to write home about - and no home to write to - you’ve got to laugh… or else despair.” Appeal leaflet, which included the sad news of the passing of Don Paterson.
At the beginning of this decade the Crypt employed five assistant wardens, a social worker, two office workers, a team of kitchen staff and a man and wife team in charge of Hope House. The staff team now is 72 frontline staff meeting the needs of homeless and vulnerable people in Leeds.
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During early 2000 the Crypt received a visit from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. She took time during her visit to talk to the clients, staff and volunteers of the Crypt.
The Princess Royal receives a posy from a resident at the Crypt, during her visit to see the charities work and facilities.
2001
The Crypt understood there was great need amongst people who had long term alcohol addictions and were entrenched rough sleepers for a system that understood their very specific needs. Working with Leeds City Council the Crypt developed a supported living solution for them; Regent House. This innovative approach has led, in 2019, to the development of the new supported living facility built in its place; Regent Lodge.
2002
The Crypt publishes ‘Entertaining Angels’ - a book containing stories and histories told by people with close personal connections to St George’s Crypt. The Crypt’s Business Committee is also established, with the primary goal of engaging with local businesses and individuals in the work of building a better, more inclusive Leeds.
2005
A new Trust Deed was agreed and the Board of Trustees was reorganised with ex-officio Trustees reduced to two; and three Committees formed to focus on Finance and Governance; Staffing; and External Relations. New Trustees appointed bring specialist skills to the charity.
The Crypt, in co-operation with Park Lane College, provides language lessons for asylum seekers and other potential immigrants.
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The Crypt brought in 2010 with it’s reopening after a £1.5m refurbishment. A new wing included a new reception area and modern training rooms which help the homeless with personal and life skills.
The Crypt’s restaurant was expanded and refurbished, the residents' lounge area was completely revamped and a dentist's practice and catering academy was introduced for the very first time. Finally, a dozen small individual bedrooms were also added.
2011
The Charity bought a site on Armley Town Street that had space for a large retail shop, a cafe and rooms upstairs. The shop and cafe have been used to support client volunteers back into work and the rooms upstairs have been converted into flats for people moving on from a life of addiction.
2016
St George’s Crypt sets up Growing Rooms, our residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation service. Developed with recovering addicts with lived experience at the heart of the process, this project has supported numerous people to successfully move on into their own accommodation and employment.
Simon Gaitley (third from left) joined our drug and alcohol rehabilitation project, successfully completed it and then joined the team as a drug and alcohol rehab worker.
2017
The Crypt has offered health services to homeless and vulnerable adults in Leeds since it started. 2017 saw the start of our optician service in partnership with Vision Care for Homeless People. We also started to formalise our dental service with Dentaid and brought on many other health and wellbeing partner services with agencies around Leeds.
2019
St George’s Crypt opens Regent Lodge, a specialised supported living facility of 14 self contained flats for entrenched rough sleeping drinkers who work with us to reduce their dependence on drink, engage with positive vocational activities with the aim of independence.
Over the course of the decade St George's Crypt served, on average, 50,000 meals, slept and rehoused 2000 people and provided 1,500 food parcels to families and individuals in need each year.
Donate to the NowTo continue with our incredible history of helping those in need, We really need your help.
2020
We started this new decade on a strong and hopeful footing. Our alcohol rehabilitation hostel, Regent Terrace, had just been pulled down and rebuilt as 14 self contained supported living flats for drinkers, Regent Lodge
We are in the process of building 24 supported move-on flats in New Wortley, for people coming out of homelessness and in need of a stable foundation to restart their lives.
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With a pandemic gripping the globe and changing our lives forever - the Crypt is still providing everything that it can to our residents. We have never sent anyone away hungry and we continue to strive to provide the best care possible.
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