This was Rishton's first known Church School, which was originally sited on High Street, close to the junction of Harwood Road.

John Simpson, a roman Catholic opened the school, who in 1804 had about 20 pupils.

In 1819 George Petre, Lord of the manor, built its successor, and transferred the name to the new building.

The Hermitage was a converted joiners shop, the costs of the alterations for it to be made into a school were met by generous donation from Mr. Thomas Seed and Mr. Bernard Smith among others.

By 1830 the school seems to have closed and was let to three tenants. In 1851 Richard Bilsborough, who was a tenant, taught pupils, but this was probably only on Sundays, as Richard is listed as being a Calico printer. The building is now in private residence.

The Church/school opened on the 11th January 1886, and the first head teacher was Miss Houseman. The mass that day was read by Father Harford, S. J. of Accrington, with prayers in the afternoon read by Canon Dunderdale, of Saint Huberts, Great Harwood, and Father Hothersall, of Enfield, in the middle of October 1886.

In 1892 Father Lathouwers was appointed to Rishton and secured land in Station Road for a new Church which was dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo.

Saint Charles Church and School was known as The Hermitage Roman Catholic School, this was until 1959.

References

Rishton on Record, The Festival of Britain 1951.