Building record 1160/441/18 - The Old Mission Hall

{1} Although constructed in the mid 19th century, this building does not appear to have been incorporated into the survey site until much later. There is some difference regarding the date of this event. Following the listing description, the evaluation report suggests that this had taken place by 1923. However, examination of the historic maps suggests that the boundary to the west of the Mission Hall, separating it from the rest of the site, remained in place until 1938 at least, when the building is labeled as 'Hall' suggesting that it reatined its separate identity.
The building is constructed in red brick, laid in Flemish Bond, under a slate roof. The gable walls rise above roof level. On the first floor are cast metal 36-pane windows, with a central opening section, above brick sills. The ground floor openings have been altered, so their original form cannot be determined. All openings on the east side of the building have been bricked up, though the windows and door remain internally. On the north end a two-storey brick structure has been added, under a clay tile roof. The date of this structure remains uncertain: it was not examined in detail.
To the south-west, the Hall is linked to a single-storey, flat-roofed structure, comprising two rooms. In the south wall of the larger room is a stone with the legend
'THIS STOE WAS LAID BY MRS W CHURCH. JULY 12TH, 1923'
From the structural and cartographic evidence the present building was in place by 1962, replacing a smaller structure that was built before 1901, and stood within the yard at the rear of the hall. Interestingly this earlier building appears on the 1926 map, after the stone was laid. It seems unlikely that the stone refers to either structure: foundation stones are normally placed to be visible on the outside of a building. It is possible that it relates to the wall, which forms part of the site boundary, but why anyone would go to the trouble and expense of preparing and laying a stone to commemorate a few yards of boundary wall is unexplainable.
Downstairs the hall has been subdivided by modern partitioning. The only features of note are a blocked fireplace at the north end, and a cast iron post supporting the floor above. A narrow stair at the south end leads to the upper floor, which comprises a matchboarded, panelled room with a boarded ceiling, partly exposed roof trusses, and a raised stage at the north end. The roof structure is in poor condition, and is carried on modern posts.
No details could be found regarding the religious use of the building, prior to its acquisition by the hospital. Its most recent function, along with the linked building, was as a linen store. The adjoining building to the north was most recently used for general storage.

<1> Zeepvat B., 2004, Historic Building Survey: St Edmund's Hospital, Wellingborough Road, Northampton, P. 33 (checked) (Report). SNN104796.

Record last edited

Jun 16 2008 10:25AM