20, The Close

LICHFIELD

SK1109NE THE CLOSE 1094-1/5/208 (South side) 05/02/52 No.20 (Formerly Listed as: THE CLOSE Lichfield Theological College)

GV II

House, now divided into two. 1819 or 1833. Brick with ashlar dressings; double-span tile roof with brick end stacks. Double-depth plan. Georgian style. 3 storeys; symmetrical 5-window range. Stucco plinth, 1st floor sill band and top cornice and parapet. Entrance has rusticated opening with Tuscan aedicule with frieze and cornice; recessed porch up steps is rusticated, with large half-glazed door and 6-panel return doors; entrance to left end has rubbed brick flat arch and half-glazed door. Windows have sills, and rubbed brick flat arches over 12-pane sashes, 6-pane sashes to 2nd floor. Rear has centre breaking forward under pediment and with brick terrace to ground floor. INTERIOR: windows have shutters; recorded as having open-well staircase, to right of centre, with cast-iron balustrade. From 1872-1972, the building served as the residence of the principal of the Theological College, which was housed in 1870s additions to the right, of which only the chapel of 1885 (not included) survives, the rest having been demolished in 1981. (Victoria History of the County of Stafford: Greenslade M W: Lichfield: Oxford: 1990-: P.66; Drury P: The Capitular Estate of Dean and Chapter of Lichfield Cathedral: 1987-).

Listing NGR: SK1159609737