History

Hadleigh Almshouses

George Street

William Pykenham, Rector of Hadleigh, who died in 1497 had endowed land for the erection of almshouses.

These houses, single storey and timber framed, were built either side of the Row Chapel alongside the road. The original almshouses became unfit for occupancy and during 1887 14 new red brick houses were build behind the existing properties and the occupants were moved to the new properties.

Three new properties were built in 1973 in between the existing houses in the space that originally held allotment plots.

Benton Street

A familiar site in Hadleigh, these timber framed and plastered almshouses have a cross-wing at the north end with a projecting upper storey. The building was listed Grade II in 1950 for its architectural and historic interest and was thought to have been built in 1555 by John Raven II on the corner of his land.

The Row Chapel

Archdeacon Pykenham’s will makes no mention of any chapel but the timber framed building is at least over 400 years old and is dedicated to the Blessed Mary Magdalene and St Catherine. Following the rebuilding of the almshouses in 1887, the chapel which in a very poor condition was restored in 1890 by Dean and Mrs Spooner.

The work was overseen by Charles Sydney Spooner, an important Arts & Crafts architect and nephew of Dean Spooner. He kept as much as he could but a “new porch, vestry and bell cott” were added.

Services are held every Tuesday at 11am for residents and others who wish to attend.