Monument record 10423 - Hospital and Almshouse of St John the Baptist (Blue Coat School)

Following the destruction of the original hospital of St John the Baptist (CHER 10340) in 1644 during the siege of Chester, they were rebuilt twice in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (1, 2). In 1715-17 the old chapel was taken down and new buildings erected. The main block which housed the newly founded Bluecoat school was paid for by private subscription. The corporation paid for the south wing housing the chapel and rear courtyard that included six one-storey almshouses for women. (6). They were ordered to be rebuilt again in 1852, to house thirteen paupers (6). It is this rebuild that survives on the site, to the rear of the Bluecoat School (6).
Historic building appraisal and statement of significance for Bluecoat Hospital School produced in 2013. Bluecoat Hospital School dates from the early 18th century. Partial reconstruction and and extension took place in 1854 by John Morris Architect. (7)

<1> Harris, B.E. (ed), 1987, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume I, 3/180-183 Harris B 1980 (Book). SCH3556.

<2> Stewart-Brown R., 1927, The Hospital of St John at Chester, 78/ns42/66-106 Stewart-Brown R 1926 (Article in Journal). SCH5971.

<3> Richards R, 1947, Old Cheshire Churches, Richards R 1972 /826-836 (Book). SCH2309.

<4> Gastrell F, 1845-1850, Notitia Cestriensis, or historical notices of the diocese of Chester, Gastrell F 1845/102-103 (Article in Journal). SCH2290.

<5> Clay R M, 1910, Medieval Hospitals of England, /282 (Monograph). SCH2155.

<6> Lewis C.P & Thacker A.T. (eds), 2005, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume Vii, The City of Chester - The City of Chester, Culture, Buildings, Institutions (Book). SCH6522.

<7> Wright F. G. (Reverend), 1920, Chester Blue Coat Hospital (Article in Journal). SCH5679.

<7> Mel Morris Conservation, 2014, Bluecoat Hospital School, Chester: Historic Building Appraisal & Statement of Significance, R3663 (Client Report). SCH7676.