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to visit the National Children’s Home and their headquarters in Bonner Road, Bethnal Green,

London, to gain insight into the running of an orphanage. Marsh also advertised for staff in
the Methodist Recorder.

At the end of 1902 the first buildings at the Marsh Memorial Home were completed. (Fig.
3.4.) Edward Marsh was the sole trustee and the first principal, a post which he held until his

death in 1935. The first group of 150 children was admitted to the Home on 12 January 1903.

They were accommodated in five houses that had been part of the overall construction.
Among the features at the Marsh Memorial Home is a magnificent stained-glass window in

the principal’s house (now the administration building). It was donated by architect Spencer
Waters and depicts Christ receiving young children. The inscription reads “of such is the

kingdom of Heaven” based on the words of Jesus Suffer little children to come unto me.

(Mark 10: 14). (Fig. 3.5.)

At the bottom of the stained-glass window is the inscription: This window is dedicated to the

Rev. T. Edward Marsh to commemorate his being First Principal of the Marsh Memorial
Home. July 1901.

With the increasing demand for facilities for orphaned children Edward, at the request of

Jane, who was very involved in the plight of orphaned children, financed the purchase of the
land and the cost of the buildings for the establishment of the Heatherdale Children’s Home

in Athlone for orphaned coloured children. The home was initially for girls only and was

opened in August 1929. Later a further wing was added for orphaned boys. Other buildings in
the form of a hall and an administration block followed. The Home today, similar to the

Marsh Memorial Home, caters for abused, neglected, and ‘at risk’ children.

The Awakening

In late 1919 Marsh with two other evangelical ministers, Rev. J. R. Kingon of the
Congregational Church, Observatory and Methodist minister Rev. W. H. Douglas, openly

expressed concern about the drift towards the teaching of Liberal Theology which prevailed
in theological seminaries.