Millington'S Hospital And Wall To Forecourt

Millington's Hospital is a pair of almshouses built in 1748 and founded by James Millington. The central block was remodeled in 1785-1786 by John Hiram Haycock. The building is constructed of brick with a Welsh slate roof and stone dressings. It stands two stories tall and features an 11-window range with projecting outer bays and an advanced pedimented central bay. The central bay has a doorway raised on steps over a basement, enclosed by a porch with Doric columns supporting an entablature. This doorway is flanked by 12-pane sash windows with stone voussoir heads, while the basement windows below have single ring cambered heads. The upper windows are also 12-pane sashes with single ring cambered heads, positioned beside a central inscription stone that reads: "This hospital was given and endowed by the will of James Millington late of Shrewsbury gent and was built by him in the year MDCCXLVIII." Above the main structure is a pedimented gable with a clock, and a cupola recessed behind it features a domed cap topped with a weather vane dated 1782. The flanking sections of the building have blank arcading of three bays, each with mullioned and transomed windows and doorways between, including two passage entries that provide access to the rear. The upper storey has small casement windows, and there is a cornice and high parapet above. The projecting outer wings also include a blank arcade with a mullioned and transomed window, along with a doorway in the side elevation. The parapets are capped by urns, and there are axial stacks. Inside, the main hall in the central section features dado panelling and a pulpit. The hospital is accompanied by a low wall to the forecourt, made of brick with segmental stone copings and paired central gate piers. The outer piers have flat pyramidal caps, while the inner piers are topped with acorn finials.