The Girls Friendly Society was officially established on 1st January 1875 by Mary Elizabeth Townsend in England, under the auspices of the Church of England (the Anglican Church in Australia).
She was concerned with the fate of many working-class country girls who left home to take up employment in larger cities, in factories & as domestic staff of wealthy homes.
Cut off from the support of friends and family, Mrs Townsend’s idea was for GFS Associates to befriend and guide these girls to live a morally pure Christian life, who would form the Society’s Members. In a notebook of ideas & discussions she laid a blueprint for the GFS.
She wrote: “If we only knew how many girls are lost…but are in want of a little love, a few kind words, a smile of interest, to show that they are cared for.” (GFS It’s Story: A history of the Girls Friendly Society in Australia, 1975).
So began the GFS.
The work of GFS was organised by parishes, working in deaneries under the guardianship of each Diocese. The Girls Friendly Society spread rapidly throughout England and soon spread to other Christian countries near and far.
The Society’s prayer, definition, motto and purpose have always retained the same early values.
