St Joseph's College, Mark Cross

St Joseph's College, located in Mark Cross near Rotherfield, East Sussex, is a historic Grade II listed building designed by Edward Pugin, dating back to 1869. Originally established as St. Michael's Orphanage for Girls, it was funded by the Duchess of Leeds and operated by the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. The site features an expansive 54 acres and has undergone various transformations, including serving as a minor seminary and later as Legat's School of Ballet. In the 1990s, it was acquired by Jameah Islameah, but faced controversies leading to its closure in 2007. The building is recognized by the Victorian Society as a heritage site at risk, making it a point of interest for tourists and researchers alike.