Building record 3884/1/3 - All Hallows Church Hall

Early 17th century grammar school. Altered in 1712 and restored during the 19th and 20th centuries. With a 20th century restored sundial. Now a church hall. [Also known as Chantry House]

{1} Grammar School, now church hall. Early C17, restored C19 and C20. Squared coursed ironstone, part banded with limestone, with C20 plain-tile roof. Originally probably 2-unit plan, one of which was a larger hall. 2 storeys with attic. 5-window range of 4-light stone-mullion windows with leaded lights. C20 door to left has 4-centred moulded stone head with roundels in the spandrels. 2 large stone dormers with 3-light stone-mullion windows with ashlar gable parapets, kneelers and 3 finials. Stone stack with cornice to to end and ashlar gable parapets and kneelers. Gable to right has one C19 four-light stone mullion window to first floor with quatrefoil panel above. Turned finials to kneelers and mid parts of parapets. Rear elevation to Church Street has three C19 stone-mullion windows and 2 door openings with 4-centred moulded stone heads. 3 trefoil air holes to ground and first floor. Pair of tall stone stacks at eaves. Panels above entrance to main front have moulded stone surrounds with plain panel below and inscription, "Edward Pickering of Swasey in the County of Cambridge Esq., one of the sons of Sir John Pickering late of Tichmarsh in this County K't and Barn't Ano.Dnj. 1682. Gave to this free school 130L for the advancement of learning. Aspice Respice Fac Simile". Also, "Richard Fisher of Wellingborough gent, gave to the schoolmasters of this place 15 per an. For the further encouragement of learning An.Dnj. 1711", and below, "Qiaomaoezi Multum Debeo, Barbaris autem nihil". C20 restored sundial in dormer above. Interior: 2 plank doors with strap hinges to entrance vestibule.Remains of carved stone sun face in entrance hall. Central chamfered ceiling beam in room to right. First floor hall has C19 exposed roof trusses and plaster panels.

{3} Former grammar school, now church hall. Early 17th century building, restored 19th and 20th century. 2 storeys with attic.

{4} Wellingborough Free Grammar School, Church Street
School (later Church Hall). Still possibly in use by All Hallows Church. Plaque above the door 'Edward Pickering of Swasey in the county of Cambridge Esq. One of the sons of St John Pickering of Titchmarsh in this county K't and Barn t AN DNJ 1682 gave to this free school 130 for the advancement of learning. Aspice Respice Fac Simile' and a later plaque claimed 'Richard Fisher of Wellingborough gent gave to the schoolmasters of this place 15 per an for the further encouragement of learning AN DNJ 1711'. Film 2, photo 11, 12.

{5} At the dissolution of the chantries a free school was founded and endowed by the townsmen, some or all of the property of the former Guild being granted to support the school. Two schoolmasters and an usher were appointed to run the school and the feoffees were responsible for the endowed lands of the school and for the town lands. The school house dated 1617 lies within the north west corner of the churchyard.

{8} Undated photo;

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 11/97 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1986, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), G04 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN100394.

<3> 1986, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, p.40 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN46476.

<4> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Wellingborough (Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100290.

<5> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Wellingborough (Medieval + Post Medieval) (Digital archive). SNN100339.

<6> 1771, Survey of Wellingborough Hatton manor 1771 (Document). SNN100360.

<7> James, W., 1803, Wellingborough Town 1803 (Map). SNN100362.

<8> Photographs of buildings in Wellingborough (Photographs). SNN115387.

<9> Historic England, Undated, CHANTRY HOUSE, CHURCH STREET, WELLINGBOROUGH, BF085106 (Archive). SNN116283.

Record last edited

Apr 8 2024 3:04PM