St Mark’s College has purchased the spacious house at 40 Pennington Terrace, North Adelaide, that previously served as the residence of the Dean of St Peter’s Cathedral.

This historic acquisition is the first expansion of College grounds since the College purchased Hawker House in 1969.

The Deanery is immediately adjacent to the College, and is the only house between Walkley Cottage and the Cathedral.

It has been rented by the College from the Cathedral since late 2022, and currently houses seven students. Its use for students has been a great success, and has enabled the College to have the largest enrolment in its history this year, responding to high student demand for College places while remaining a warm, friendly, and cohesive community.

It is intended that the Deanery will continue to be used for students for the foreseeable future (although it could, of course, be used for other purposes in future years as circumstances evolve).

Purchase of this significant property was fully funded by a very generous donation by Dr Pamela Wall OAM, Honorary Fellow of the College and widow of Dr Ian Wall AM (St Mark’s 1950-54, Honorary Fellow).

Dr Wall’s donation is the largest donation so far in the initial phase of the College’s Centenary appeal, which aims to expand much-needed scholarship support for students as well as fund some heritage and capital projects.

The Chair of the College Board, Ms Linda Matthews, said: “We could not be more delighted that the College has been able to make this valuable acquisition, which is so important for current and future students.

“We are extremely grateful to Dr Wall for making this exciting purchase possible.”

The elegant house at 40 Pennington Terrace was built in the early 1880s as a private residence, and was transferred to the Cathedral for use as the Deanery in 1922.

Property settlement for the Deanery took place today.

The College’s Pennington Terrace frontage, facing the Parklands and Adelaide Oval, now comprises a row of five 19th century houses – the Deanery, Walkley Cottage, Downer House, the Grenfell Price Lodge, and Hawker House.

The 2023 and 2024 College Club Presidents, Ben McCure and Eloise Montefiore, on the front porch of the Deanery.