Church Street Refurbishment

Background




The charity successfully updated and refurbished Christ’s Hospital Almshouses in central Buckingham in 2014.  The Trustees wished to do the same for the Church Street almshouses and this work was completed early in 2020.  The update has provided central heating and refitted kitchens and bathrooms, the properties now meet all modern standards particularly in relation to energy efficiency.   

The Church Street almshouses were founded in 1431 by John Barton (Senior, the elder of two brothers named John, a successful lawyer).  The accommodation housed six poor persons who were given a groat a week.  After the Dissolution, the almshouses were reinstated by Mrs Dayrel, whose family had probably acquired them from the Crown.

Barton’s Hospital Almshouses were rebuilt in 1701; the current building dates from the late 19th century and it has an inscription stone dating it from 1910.  The properties have been extended in a piecemeal fashion since then.  They remain available to house six local persons in need and the Trustees seek to provide them as truly affordable accommodation.

Buckingham has a long history of almshouse provision.  Christ’s Hospital was reinstated by Queen Elizabeth I in 1597 and it is situated near the site of St Lawrence Hospital, which was probably a facility for lepers, dating from 1312.  Christ’s Hospital appears to have been funded by Buckingham’s wool trade and its two fairs. 

Please contact the Secretary via secretary.bawc@gmail.com if you would like further information on the Church Street refurbishment project.


Webmaster, June 2020