History of the College

The history of Cromwell College is one of people – it is not the buildings, gardens or any other external feature.

From its opening in June 1954 “its story is largely the story of graduates and undergraduates who have lived and worked and talked and played in it.” (Rev Dr Lindsay Lockley, first Principal of Cromwell College)

Cromwell College was the inspiration of a group of Christian leaders in the Congregational Churches in Queensland.

The initial gift of about 40,000 pounds (equivalent to about 2 million dollars today) was a milestone in the foundation of the College. Cromwell is forever indebted to Mr V E Hancock and his wife May for this gift. Both remained involved in the College, along with other members of the Hancock family, and are remembered with gratitude and affection.

The decision to go ahead and build Cromwell College was made on the 28th April 1950 and the team, to use the words of May Hancock, “rolled up their sleeves and went to work.”

This included the adoption of a constitution, the election of the first Board of Governors and the appointment of Rev Lockley as the first Principal of the yet to be built college.

It was named Cromwell College in honour of Oliver Cromwell, sometime Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. The name was most appropriate as it reflected his well-attested Congregational churchmanship and commitment to education. The Lord Protector’s successful endeavours to rehabilitate education, particularly in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and his virtual founding of the University of Durham, were particularly relevant.

The Cromwell motto Pax quaeritur bello – “Peace is sought through war” - did not reflect the vision of the founders and was changed to Ubi spiritus ibi libertas - “Where the spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty,” a more suitable affirmation of Cromwell College’s vision for its residents.

The College strengthened its connection to the Lord Protector when it secured permission from the Cromwell family to bear his personal arms – a lion argent rampant on a field sable.

Cromwell was the first of the Colleges on the St Lucia campus, receiving men into residence in June 1954.

Cromwell College Buildings

The North Wing was opened in 1954 and is named after Rev Frederick North, Principal of Queensland Congregational Theological College from 1917 to 1927.

The Thatcher Wing was also opened in 1954 and is named after Rev Dr G.W. Thatcher, a former Warden of Camden Theological College, NSW.

The Hancock Wing was completed in 1968 and was named after Mr V E Hancock CMG, the original benefactor of the College and late husband of the College’s first life Governor, Mrs M Hancock OBE.

The original Vice-Principal’s residence became the Steele-Craik Lodge when it was turned into students’ accommodation and has for many years functioned as an extra wing of the College. It was named after Rev Alexander Steele-Craik, Vice-Principal from 1967-70 and Principal from 1970-72.

The G Lindsay Lockley Wing which was previously the Domestic Wing and then the Carmody Wing was completely rebuilt internally in 1984 and named after the first Principal of the College.

Campus Lodge was built in 1998. It consists of two buildings, Jarvis Tower and Bishop Tower, named for Miss Lenore Jarvis, foundation Secretary of Cromwell College and Mr Ken Bishop, Governor since 1952, former Chairman of the Board of Governors and Fellow of the College. Campus Lodge provides self-contained units for residents who prefer independent living to the style of accommodation usually provided. It consists of two-bedroom and four-bedroom accommodation with shared bathrooms, kitchen and living area.