[1] In the 18th century, there were constant wars between the British and the Nawabs of Mysore, resulting in destruction of property and lives and eventually a famine in Madras.
The building was rented by the Famine Relief Committee which conducted a charity for the 'sick and the poor' along with St. Mary's Church.
It was given the unofficial name "Monegar Choultry" the anglicised version of the term "Manyamkarar" (village headman) who ran a gruel centre nearby.
There is an ancient temple at the base of an old tree within the premises, dedicated to the Hindu deity Periya Palayathu Amman.
[1] A rule still remains with the choultry that in case of the death of an inmate, the corpse will be sent to the Anatomy Department of the Stanley Medical College for study, rather than handing over to the relatives.