What was the St Mary Major Institute in Rack Street ,Exeter

[JennMorgon]

I have the marriage certificate of my ancestors and it states their residence at the time of the marriage in 1913 was the St Mary Major Institute in Rack Street.  Any idea what kind of institute it was.  I found a lot of interesting information on Rack St but no mention of the St Mary Major Institute.
Any information on it would be really welcomed
many thanks
Jenn Morgon

[hanes teulu]

deleted

[hanes teulu]

Checking the newspapers, it was a social centre hosting concerts, whist drives,public meetings etc. Teams from the institute played other clubs/institutes in billiards, bagatelle.

But I cannot ind any mention of it providing accommodation. There is a death notice in 1912 where the address of the deceased is the Institute, but I think he may have been the caretaker.

It's sometimes described as St. Mary Major Church Institute and when they occupied new premises in 1921 the address to the assembled audience mentioned combining religious and secular pleasures and being "jolly good fellows".

 

[JennMorgon]

Thank you for the information.  Seems really strange that they both state their residence as the institute on their wedding certificate.  Maybe he was the caretaker !  I did spend quite some time looking for information about the place but didn't come up with much hence wondering if someone else knew.
Thank you again
Jenn

[hanes teulu]

I think the caretaker may have been a George Bamsey.

Were your ancestors Exeter folk? Where were they in 1911? Did they marry in St Mary Major church?

[hanes teulu]

I've had a look at the 1911 Census.

Found an entry for the Church Inst - cannot post details, however. 

[JennMorgon]

Not the caretaker then.  He was Ernest Henry Darke and she was Ellen Andrews and both were 21.  They married at St Mary Major Parish Church on August 2nd 1913.  He was a laundry man.  Their place of residence (for both) is recorded as St Mary Major Institute, Rack St.  Very strange !  Both fathers still alive - and living in Exeter at the time.  She was pregnant (about 4 months ) at the time of marriage so it occurred to me that it may have been some sort of homeless shelter (or workhouse) but I've found  no evidence of this yet - and 1913 was not at time of kindness to young people who "got themselves into trouble" !

[JennMorgon]

I currently have access to both Find My Past and Ancestry.  Where did you locate the 1911 census and I will look myself. 

[hanes teulu]

FindMyPast -
"Bamsey" in Last Name, "Exeter" in Where and "Rack Street" in Street.

When image shown, hover on "related images" (bottom right of image) and click on "List".

I've been searching newspapers under address given on Census - has identified more institute residents.