Listed Building record MDO2347 - Ss John Baptist and John Evangelist Almshouse, Half Moon Street, Sherborne

Augustinian and Benedictine hospital prior to 1404, then in use as an almshouse. In 1546 it is referred to as a leper house, which may indicate its original use. Most of the building dates to the 15th century, with later alterations and additions including those of 1865. Listed.

[ST 6377 1640] Almshouses [GT] (5) Almshouses of St John the Baptist & John the Evangelist (8) date of foundation unknown, but it was an Austin hospital on this site which passed to the Benedictines c. 1404-5. The hospital was refounded c. 1437 for 20 brethren. In 1547 it was called, probably erroneously a house of leprosy, it was retained or refounded after the dissolution. (8) The walls are of rubble and the roofs are covered with stone slats, the chapel within was completed in 1442, and the building completed in 1448. The building is an unusually complete example of a 15 c. almshouse on a normal plan following that of the monastic infirmary. (11) In 1865 many additions and alterations were made to the structure. (3) (1, 3, 5- 8, 11) The almhouses are in excellent condition, and are as described and depicted above except that the height of the chimneys has been reduced and the dormer window removed. Modern additions to the N. of the original building have extended the almshouse premises. (9) The Almshouse building accounts, 1440-4. (10) Hospital of Saints John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. Grade I. (13,15)

Record last edited

May 19 2022 3:06PM