The History

Beginnings

The St Just Literary Institute opened in 1847. The building had a grand façade and a large open hall. It was designed by local architect John Matthews and funded by public subscription.

Original Aims

The institute played an important part in the town’s history providing education at a time when schooling was limited. The minutes of the very first committee meeting, some years before the building opened, set out the allowable uses:

“…The design being solely for the promotion of useful knowledge. Every species of light reading such as newspapers, novels, etc, as well as all work of an irreligious or immoral tendency shall be excluded forever….”

Fortunately these are no longer enforceable.

Original Uses

In 1858 there was a library of 500 books, a reading room and accommodation for a caretaker. The building also housed the society of arts and a museum. Upstairs was and a large galleried lecture theatre.

Later Years

With the introduction of school-based education for all children, the institute had to evolve. In 1896 it became the Lafrowda Club.

Throughout the twentieth century many local organisations and societies met there, including a choral society, and a ladies choir. There was even a billiard hall.

Over the years the iconic building was very much a part of St Just, inspiring both loyalty and curiosity. However, it was never truly open to the whole community – something we plan to redress in the twenty-first century.