Moor Park College was founded in 1950 to provide short-term residential adult education based on and inspired by the Christian faith; and to enable the Church to play a part in the growing movement for short-term residential adult education which sprang up after the Second World War.
It was an Anglican venture but with strong ecumenical links. The Church of England did not feel able initially to offer any financial support but gave the venture it’s blessing and there were always close links with the Diocese of Guildford.
Canon Parsons chose Moor Park House, because of its aesthetic qualities, rural setting and transport networks. The house needed much restoration, which was achieved by public appeals. In 1954 the Educational Trust was formed, and in 1966 the property was vested in Moor Park College Ltd, a company limited by guarantee and with objects similar to the original Trust. By that time over 20,000 men and women of different occupations, creeds and nationalities had attended the wide range of courses and conferences.
Increasing cooperation with the Surrey County Council Adult Education Committee led to the proposal that the County Council take over responsibility for the maintenance of the property, with the intention that the use of the College be run in partnership with the Moor Park Trust. This entailed the transfer of the property, for which the County offered the Trust £50,000, taking into account maintenance and repair costs. Regrettably a few years later, a major change in County policy and the decision to cut back on further education expenditure, led to the announcement that the property would have to be sold to the highest bidder. Endeavours by the Moor Park Trust to re-acquire the house were unavailing, and it eventually went for some £400,000.
Although no longer having a property of its own the Trust decided to continue its work for Christian Adult Education, using other premises. A very helpful partnership with the University of Surrey was inaugurated through Professor David James, who has also been the instigator of the Trust’s partnership with the Guildford Diocesan Education Centre.
Moor Park House before and after renovation
