Christian Science Reading Room

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

SP1954NE ELY STREET 604-1/9/76 (South side) 25/10/51 No.26 Christian Science Reading Room

GV II

Town house, school from c1810 to 1845, now reading room. c1600 with c1810 addition to left; 1849 refronting and rear addition by William Gibbs. Painted brick to timber-frame exposed to left return; double-span tile roof. Double-depth plan. 2 storeys with attic; symmetrical 3-window range. Wide eaves. Entrance has porch with panelled angle pilasters with traceried frieze and cornice with angle pinnacles with finials, architrave to panelled door. 2-storey bay windows have fielded-panelled pilaster strips and cornices, 1:4:1-light transomed casements with leaded glazing and iron opening lights; central 1st-floor window has offset sill, and label mould over cross-casement with leaded glazing; attic has 3 gabled dormers with 2-light leaded casements, that to centre with enriched barge-boards and finial. Left return has enriched barge-boards; single-storey window with attic, built as schoolroom and dormitory, has modillioned brick cornice and segmental-headed carriage entrance to left end; entrance to right end has doorcase with triple shafts and ogival hood, C20 fanlight over door of 3 pointed panels; window has fluted pilaster strips and plate glass, C20 gabled dormer. Right return has enriched barge-boards, hipped bay window with 9-pane sash and varied sashed windows with wedge lintels. Rear has four 1st-floor windows with rusticated wedge lintels over 12-pane sashes. (Bearman R: Stratford-upon-Avon: A History of its Streets and Buildings: Nelson: 1988-: 28).

Listing NGR: SP1994054857