| AdminHistory | Joseph Williamson was born at 75 Arcadia Street, Poplar and was drawn to the priesthood from an early age. He was ordained in 1925 and from 1928-1932 served at Grahamstown Cathederal in South Africa. On his return to England he served in various parishes in Leicestershire, Suffolk and Norfolk before returning to East London as vicar of St Paul's, Dock Street, Whitechapel in 1952. At this time the social conditions in the vicinity became a national controversy and Williamson's campaigning on the two issues of slum housing and prostitution made him a national figure. He opened Church House, Wellclose Square as a refuge for girls and women attempting to escape from prostitution and established the Wellclose Square Trust in 1961. He retired from his parish work in 1962 though continuing as Warden of Church House. He was appointed MBE in 1975. He spent his retirement in West Sussex where he died in 1988. |