It was founded in 1897 by the Society of Sisters of St John the Divine and has an Anglican foundation.

In 1887, Sister Fanny, together with Novices Anna and Margaret (who took their vows soon after they arrived), were sent out to Pietermaritzburg from England to look after and educate orphans.

As the orphanage expanded, the Sisters decided to build a boarding facility to accommodate children who wished to attend school in the town.

Thus in 1894 the foundation stone to the convent in Burger Street was laid where the present Medical Centre now exists.

Numbers continued to grow and the building next to the convent was acquired for older girls and was named 'St John's School' in 1897.