The Cridge Centre for the Family is British Columbia's oldest registered non-profit society and has a rich history. Our founders were Edward and Mary Cridge. Edward was a clergyman and in his later years became a bishop. Bishop Cridge had a long and illustrious career as a social reformer and is recognized as the founder of Victoria's first hospital and its first orchestra. He was the first inspector of schools for the colony and was the first clergyman in Victoria to allow people of different races to share the same pew in his church. His church was the historic Church of our Lord, which continues today as an active place of worship. The Church's website is www.churchofourlord.org
Mary was a teacher and so, of course, children were her great love. After the Cridges' arrival in 1855, the successive birth of her nine children became her focus, but in 1873 she began to develop great concern for homeless children whom she saw in the streets of Victoria. Being a woman of action, Mary decided to provide them with shelter in her own home. Soon a number of these "waifs and strays" were living in the Cridge household, as well as in the homes of some of their friends. This wonderful act of charity led to the founding of the B.C. Protestant Orphans' Home, under Bishop Cridge's leadership.
One of the many citizens of Victoria who supported the Home was John George Taylor. This retired policeman and former gold prospector demonstrated his spirit of compassion by leaving his entire fortune to the Home when he died in 1891. His generous bequest enabled the organization to buy a beautiful property and build a new 100-bed orphanage.
The Home was well run and at present-day Orphanage reunions, many of those who lived there in years past still recall the loving care which they received there. There is a fascinating book called "The Home" which tells much of the history of the Cridge family and of the orphanage. Email Linda Zwick at lzwick@cridge.org or call her at (250) 995-6402 to order a copy.
In the 1960s, the B.C. Protestant Orphans' Home underwent a radical change. It took a new name - The Cridge Centre for the Family - and completely changed its program of activities. From being an institution which cared for children without families, it became an organization offering support for families. The orphanage building was converted into a day care centre and new townhouses were built for families in economic crisis. The goal was to provide a range of community support services which would give single parents a better chance in life. These services continue today, although within a greatly expanded organization, and have proved to be a very valuable stepping-stone to many families.
The Cridge Centre for the Family is British Columbia's oldest registered non-profit society and has a rich history. Our founders were Edward and Mary Cridge. Edward was a clergyman and in his later years became a bishop. Bishop Cridge had a long and illustrious career as a social reformer and is recognized as the founder of Victoria's first hospital and its first orchestra. He was the first inspector of schools for the colony and was the first clergyman in Victoria to allow people of different races to share the same pew in his church. His church was the historic Church of our Lord, which continues today as an active place of worship. The Church's website is 
Mary was a teacher and so, of course, children were her great love. After the Cridges' arrival in 1855, the successive birth of her nine children became her focus, but in 1873 she began to develop great concern for homeless children whom she saw in the streets of Victoria. Being a woman of action, Mary decided to provide them with shelter in her own home. Soon a number of these "waifs and strays" were living in the Cridge household, as well as in the homes of some of their friends.
One of the many citizens of Victoria who supported the Home was John George Taylor. This retired policeman and former gold prospector demonstrated his spirit of compassion by leaving his entire fortune to the Home when he died in 1891. His generous bequest enabled the organization to buy a beautiful property and build a new 100-bed orphanage.
