Greenway's Almhouses and Chapel

Greenway's Almshouses and Chapel

Chapel and almshouse founded by the local merchant John Greenway in the early 16th century, originally with capacity to house five men. The almshouse block was partially rebuilt in 1731 following a fire, rebuilt again in the 19th century, and later converted for use as offices.

The buildings are constructed of local sandstone rubble with stone dressing and a slate roof. Over the chapel are crested ridge tiles. The plan comprises a single-cell chapel attached to the west end of an almshouse block with a central rear cross-wing, both fronting directly onto Gold Street.

The Chapel

The chapel has a shallow porch with a moulded segmental-headed outer doorway topped by a hoodmould with sculptural, carved label stops. Steps lead down to the inner door, which is a moulded Tudor-arched inner doorway with a plank door that has initials carved in the spandrels. Above the door is a frieze with carved scrolls, topped by a truncated statue niche housing a 20th-century figure. The porch is topped by a parapet with carved shield motifs and a frieze below. To the left is a perpendicular traceried window with cinquefoil-headed lights and hoodmould with sculptural, carved label stops. A statue niche to the left contains a replacement figure with the remains of text on a scroll below.

The chapel has a pierced parapet with quatrefoil detailing, corbelled cornice, and text below reading "HAVE GRACE YE MEN AND PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF JOHN AND JOAN GREENWAY".

The rear elevation has a 19th-century Tudor-arch moulded stone doorway with carved spandrels and a hoodmould. To the right are a small single-light window and a large two-light window. The west end has a large three-light window similar in style to the other openings, topped by a hoodmould with carved angel label stops. The re-cut text on the sill reads "RESTE AWHYLE YE THAT MAY/PRAY YE FOR ME IN NIGHT AND DAYE". The window is flanked by statue niches with restored figures and the remains of text on scrolls below (no longer legible). The window jambs extend down the wall, suggesting the loss of a panel below the sill. Two small square windows with hoodmoulds flank the west end. They contain stone tracery composed of initials (left) and a shield with initials (right). The elevation is topped by a gabled bellcote with cinquefoil head and demi-shafts at the sides. All chapel windows contain diamond leaded panes and decorative metal cross bars.

The chapel interior is a single-cell room with plastered walls and a 19th-century three-bay wagon roof with moulded ribs and carved bosses at the intersections. The windows have dropped internal cills and hollow-chamfered Beerstone rere-arches. The east wall is decorated with a 19th-century mural depicting an unfurled scroll with the text "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST", below which are two corbels supported by carved demi-figures. The south doorway has a carved inscription above the internal arch reading "PRAY FOR THE SOUL OF JOHN AND JOAN GREENWAY". A small niche is set into the south wall. The furniture includes fixed pews (circa 1860), and a reading desk and chair.

The Almshouse

The almshouse to the left has two storeys and a half basement. The asymmetrical front has three bays with 19th-century two-light stone mullioned windows with moulded mullions, except at the left ground floor window which has a square frame with Tudor-arched lights and carved spandrels. All windows are glazed with diamond leaded panes. At the left end is a hollow-chamfered Tudor-arched doorway topped by a hoodmould that provides access to a through passage. Two statue niches in the wall have Ham-Hill ogee arches containing a statue of St. Peter (to the left) and an unidentified figurine (to the right). Cast-iron crested gutters stamped with flowers are held on cast-iron brackets. Above are three gables topped by decorative bargeboards with pendants. The rear elevation is roughcast with 20th-century casement windows and a truncated stack.

The almshouse is now in use as offices (as of 2014), with the ground and first floors containing offices and the top floor a self-contained flat (not accessible at the time of inspection). The rear wing contains a polished-concrete staircase with a painted metal handrail. Some blocked-up early fireplaces may survive within the building.