Building record 5652 - Dehon House, Welsh Road, Little Sutton

Dehon House Local List Description

Late 19th century Victorian house set within landscaped grounds. The house is 2.5 storeys high and five bays wide with projecting gables to central and end bays. A further gable containing the main entrance projects in front. Stairs to main door with fired clay balustrade supporting a wide, sweeping handrail. Constructed from red pressed brick in the English bond with white rendered attic below a welsh slate roof. The building contains casement windows set within mullioned openings and decoration constructed from red pressed bricks.

Internal: The main staircase is constructed from carved and polished wood with with matching wall panelling and ornate parquet floor tiles. The music room features painted glass windows illustrating important composers and there are numerous original fireplaces constructed from a variety of materials including marble, carved timber (stained and painted), and cast iron in the bedrooms. There is an interesting Victorian radiator in one of the upstairs bedrooms. The radiator is branded Ventilo and is framed by two caryatids (figures sculpted as a column). Some lincrusta (embossed wallpaper) found under the eastern staircase.

The original complex included stables/coach house walled garden and entrance lodge (all remaining). The entrance lodge, which is built in the French style in yellow pressed brick with attractive detailing, was relocated from the edge of welsh road in 2007.

The property was built as a residence, possibly for the Albrecht family, reputed to be brick makers originally from Ruabon (source evidence from Dehon House staff). When the property was built it would have been adjacent to Ledsham Station, which would have made it very accessible to Chester and Liverpool.

In the 1930’s the house was converted into a Catholic training college, renamed St Joseph’s and much extended. The extensions failed to match the quality and crispness of the original design. The repetitive red brick southern wing provided accommodation and administrative space. An elegantly proportioned west wing was constructed at a similar date, and although is 2.5 storeys high with a mansard roof, it fails to relate satisfactorily to the main building. This wing accommodated boys and girls dormitories of different floors with sleeping compartments separated by timber partitions. St Joseph’s was renamed Dehon House and used for a children’s holiday retreat. The interiors of the extensions are utilitarian.

<1> Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council, 2007, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council Local List of Historic Buildings, LL69 (Index). SCH5437.