Colstons Almshouses is a 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] The front wall and gates are also Grade I listed.[2] 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 city | Bristol |
| Country | England |
| Coordinates | 51°27′29″N 2°35′54″W / 51.45795°N 2.59845°W |
| Completed | 1691 |
| Client | Edward Colston |
The almshouses were founded by Edward Colston for twelve inmates.[3] They were expected to attend the chapel twice a day for a prayer reading.[4] The baroque chapel contains panels made from ships' timbers and has a barrel vault.[1] On the front wall of the chapel is a plaque to Colston.[4]
It is a two-storey limestone building with hipped roofs with triangular canopies over the individual front doors.[4] The building is U-shaped, arranged around a courtyard with a wall forming the front of the complex.[1] The windows are divided by stone mullions and transoms.[4] There is a central bell cupola.[1]
The building was renovated in 1988.[5] 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.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d Historic England. "Colstons Almshouses (1202546)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ^ Historic England. "Front wall and gates to Colston's Almshouses (1282110)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 March 2007.
- ^ Burrough, THB (1970). Bristol. London: Studio Vista. ISBN 0-289-79804-3.
- ^ a b c d "Colston's Almshouses and Chapel". Bristol Opening Doors. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ^ "Colston's Almshouses". Housing Care. Retrieved 23 October 2016.
- ^ "Care for Older People". Society of Merchant Venturers. Retrieved 8 August 2016.