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From Monday to Wednesday morning, four groups were welcomed each day by Rebecca Somerset, Archivist at the British Jesuit Archives to explore a specially curated exhibition highlighting the College’s Jesuit roots. Each session began with a short presentation introducing the work of the Archives and the role of an archivist, followed by an overview of the history of St Ignatius College, and the opportunity to engage with rare and historic items.
Highlights included a 1507 Latin edition of The Life of Christ—a book read by St Ignatius of Loyola during his convalescence after being injured at Pamplona. It is the oldest item in the Archives’ Antiquarian Book Collection and predates the arrival of the Jesuits in England.
Other material on display included documents from the early Jesuit mission in England, such as a 1578 letter from Robert Parsons to Edmund Campion —believed to be one of the oldest items in the collection—as well as items related to Henry Garnet, who helped establish the Jesuit mission in England, and Thomas Garnet, one of the College’s house saints.
Students were particularly interested in the original architectural drawing for the proposed College building at Enfield. They spent time identifying which parts corresponded to current school buildings and which features were never constructed. They were also drawn to a printed list of boys from the College who later joined the Society of Jesus.
A relic on display from the Jesuit community at Stamford Hill of St Ignatius Loyola also drew attention. Since the College was originally based at Stamford Hill, it is likely that boys from that era would have seen this relic displayed.
Reflecting on the visit, Rebecca said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome students from St Ignatius College into the Archives. I was impressed by their curiosity and engagement with the material—especially their thoughtful questions and interest in the College’s history. Preparing and delivering these sessions twelve times over three days was a new experience for me, but a rewarding challenge.”
As part of their retreat, students also attended Mass at Farm Street Church, the Jesuit parish next door to the Archives, and took home archive souvenirs, including IHS badges, pencils, and bookmarks.
The visit offered a unique opportunity to connect students with their school’s Jesuit roots. As noted in a British Jesuit Archives blog post, St Ignatius College was founded in 1894 at Stamford Hill with just 46 boys initially enrolled. The original premises consisted of two semi-detached houses—Morecombe Lodge and Burleigh House—converted into classrooms, with a small playground adjacent to the railway tracks.
About the British Jesuit Archives
The British Jesuit Archives preserve records relating to the life and work of Jesuits in Britain and overseas. Based in London, the Archives hold a wide range of materials, including official papers of the British Province, personal papers of Jesuits, records from parishes and schools, documents from missions abroad, and a significant antiquarian book collection. Access is by appointment for researchers with approved proposals. You can find out more on the website here.
About St Ignatius College
St Ignatius College, based in Enfield, North London, provides education for pupils aged 11–18. With a Jesuit tradition spanning over a century, the College has welcomed girls into its co-educational Sixth Form since 2014. It is dedicated to offering a values-driven education that shapes pupils to be men and women for others. In its latest Ofsted inspection (February 2025), the College was rated Outstanding in four key areas.
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