Main Block To St Wilfrids Roman Catholic School

PRESTON

SD5329SE FOX STREET 941-1/11/116 (West side) 12/06/50 Main Block to St Wilfrid's Roman Catholic School (Formerly Listed as: FOX STREET Fox Street Schools (Roman Catholic))

GV II

School. Dated 1814 in pediment; altered and enlarged. Red brick in Flemish bond, with sandstone dressings and slate roof. L-plan, formed by rectangular main range with rear wing to left. Two storeys over basement, a 2:3:2 window range, symmetrical, the pedimented centre breaking forwards slightly; with plinth, 1st floor band, plain frieze and moulded cornice. The doorway has an Ionic doorcase (now rendered) with engaged columns, frieze with raised lettering "CATHOLIC SCHOOL" and moulded cornice, cavetto jambs, panelled double doors and elliptical fanlight with radiating glazing bars; the windows have raised sills and wedge lintels, and altered 6-pane glazing; and the pediment contains a lozenge with the date "1814". Left return wall has doorway with plain surround, pulvinated frieze, moulded cornice and rectangular overlight, 1 window to the right, another window and a blind window above, and small modern rear wing (not of special interest) replacing original rear wing; right-hand gable wall has basement storey and various 4-pane sashed windows. Rear and INTERIOR not inspected. History: built by Father Joseph Dunn S.J., an early pioneer of gas lighting, and said to be the first school ever lit by piped gas.

Listing NGR: SD5369129334