Colstons Almshouses

Colstons Almshouses is an historic building on St Michaels Hill, Bristol, England. It was built in 1691 and has been designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building.[1][2] The front wall and gates are also Grade I listed.[3] They are named after the Bristol-born merchant, philanthropist, slave trader, and Member of Parliament Edward Colston.

Colstons Almshouses
Colstons Almshouses
Location within Bristol
General information
Town or cityBristol
CountryEngland
Coordinates51°27′29″N 2°35′54″W
Completed1691
ClientEdward Colston

The almshouses were founded by Edward Colston for twelve inmates.[4] They were expected to attend the chapel twice a day for a prayer reading.[5] The baroque chapel contains panels made from ships' timbers and has a barrel vault.[2] On the front wall of the chapel is a plaque to Colston.[5]

It is a two-storey limestone building with hipped roofs with triangular canopies over the individual front doors.[5] The building is U shaped, arranged around a courtyard with a wall forming the front of the complex.[2] The windows are divided by stone mullions and transoms.[5] There is a central bell cupola.[2]

The building was renovated in 1988.[6] The home provides twelve one-bedroom flats, laundry and communal lounge and a garden. The Society of Merchant Venturers is the trustee for the Almshouses.[7]

See also

References
  1. Historic England. "Colstons Almshouses (1202546)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  2. Historic England. "Colstons Almshouses (1202546)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  3. Historic England. "Front wall and gates to Colston's Almshouses (1282110)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2007-03-16.
  4. Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0-289-79804-3.
  5. "Colston's Almshouses and Chapel". Bristol Opening Doors. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  6. "Colston's Almshouses". Housing Care. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
  7. "Care for Older People". Society of Merchant Venturers. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.