Building record 1796/1/14 - St Crispin's Chapel Store

[1} The general condition of the structure is poor. Partial collapse of the walls and roof, and internal migration of the walls away from each other. The style, construction method and materials are similar to those of the chapel (the two buildings are considered to be contemporary) ie Victorian gothic, rock-faced sand/ironstone in small rectangular blocks with limestone dressing and chamfered arch doorway. Square in plan, the sides mesaure 4.1m in length and 2.9-3m high. The overall height is 5m. The external walls are roughly hewn snad-ironstone with corner dressings of well-hewn limestone interlocking quoins. Each wall features three vents, near the eaves. Internally, the structure has a single skin brick lining. The cavity between is filled with brick rubble and mortar. The roof is pyramidal with 45 degree pitch. Externally it is slated and capped with ornamental slate ridge tiles. The floor is brick.
A hearthstone and flue are positioned centrally against the north wall. These are integral to the original structure. Recently cleared from the inside of the structure were a number of grave markers.
Given the original use of the structure as a mortuary house, for the storage of coffins immediately prior to funeral services, the position of the doorway in relation to the chapel is worthy of note. Rather than face the chapel for ease of access, the position of the doorway is likely to reflect piety with regard to the visual exposure of deceased to the mourners.
More detail and photos.

{3} A stone shed which was the original mortuary. When the new mortuary was built we used the old one to store the
gardener's tools. It also had a coke oven. The old mortuary's door is now displayed at the Pendered Centre (Priness Marina Hospital?) The building had vents rather than windows because windows weren't needed in a mortuary house. An undated painting of the chapel shows a westerly extension to the mortuary house in the form of a flat-roofed wooden structure.

<1> Raybould O., 2011, St. Crispin's Chapel Store, Duston, Northampton: Archaeological Building Recording (Rev02), (checked) (Report). SNN107237.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1880s, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Mapping Series (44.07), 44.7 (checked) (Map). SNN105250.

<3> Bemrose, S., 2007, St. Crispin's Hospital 1876-1995: Memories from Staff, Past and Present, p.53, 210-41 (unchecked) (Book). SNN107243.

Record last edited

May 7 2014 3:36PM