SNN105981 - Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment & Building Evaluation For The Convent of Our Lady, Hall Lane, Kettering, Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Archaeology carried out a desk-based assessment of the historic resource for the Convent of Our Lady, Hall Lane, Kettering. The work was conducted as part of a pre-determination evaluation for Kettering Borough Council prior to any decisions for the future of the site being considered. The site contains two main groups of buildings and additional ancillary structures within the grounds. The convent group consists of the main convent building, chapel and the convent cottages. The school building, designed by the local architect J.A.Gotch, is a listed Grade II building. This second group consists of school buildings, the cottage outside the school and the recreation facilities. The documentary evidence indicates that the site was first developed in the late 19th century and that the convent building was the home of one of the benefactors of Kettering, Charles Wicksteed. The building remains as one legacy of his contribution to the development of Kettering and is of considerable local historic value within this context. The Ursaline Sisters purchased the premises in 1938-9 and added onto the existing structures for use as a convent.