Almshouses, Ilford Hospital Of St Mary And St Thomas Of Canterbury

The Almshouses at Ilford Hospital of St Mary and St Thomas of Canterbury were built in 1927 in a vernacular revival style. The hospital itself was founded around 1145 by Adelicia, Abbess of Barking. The building features red brick construction, with rendered courtyard and rear elevations, and stone dressings, topped with tile roofs. It is a single-storey structure with attics.

The High Road elevation consists of four bays, with the ground floor displaying four three-light metal casements that have square leaded panes. There are four half-hipped dormers, each containing small paned casements, and the building has ridge and rear stacks with multiple shafts set diagonally. The courtyard entrance front is also single-storey with attics, featuring a gabled upper storey above the entrance, which has a full dormer and is arranged in three symmetrical bays. A stone doorcase beneath the arm of the last Abbess frames an eight-panel door. On either side of the entrance, there are three-light casements, while the full dormer has a three-light casement, and the half-hipped dormers on the left and right each have two-light casements. All windows are metal framed, set in timber architraves, with square leaded panes on the ground floor and diamond panes in the attic.

Inside, the ground and first floors have brick and tile fireplaces, many of which are painted or covered. The doors feature a single vertical moulded panel, most equipped with door handles, straps, and latches. The windows have robust stays and latches, and there are panelled window seats on the first floor.

Historically, the former Chaplain's house and almshouses were positioned forward of the current building line, creating a smaller courtyard. The Almshouses were either rebuilt or renovated in the early 18th century, while the Chaplain's house was rebuilt around 1890 by Ingleby. The current structure was rebuilt in 1927 due to the widening of the High Road. These buildings form an important group with the chapel, and the site has continuously served as a hospice, providing sheltered accommodation since its foundation.