Description

SOUTH ROAD
1.
5365
(West Side)
St Joseph's Convent
ST 2324 SW 14/7
II* GV
2.
A large complex of attached buildings with considerable architectural interest.
Originally part was built as a hospital of which the foundation stone was laid
in 1772. Designs of 1775 by P Stowey of Exeter (Colvin p 573). Acquired 1807
by Franciscan nuns, refugees from Bruges. They extended the buildings in 1811
and subsequently. The considerable Victorian additions are by J A Hansom (1803-82).
Main block consists of a large symmetrical early Cl9 red brick house with later
central range in yellow brick and bowed end projecting to east. Stone dressings.
3 storeys plus attic storey on south side. Cornice and parapet. Plain band over
1st floor. Original sash windows with glazing bars to lower floors. North and
south elevations retain wrought iron balconettes to 1st floor windows. Further
range attached on south-west corner with arcaded ground floor. This block retains
a tall 2 stage bell tower with lead roof, corbelled eaves and weather vane. C19
Gothic chapel attached on north side of main block. Red brick with ashlar dressings.
Parapet and slate roof. Buttresses divide the main windows which are at 1st floor
level. Style of tracery is Decorated, the east window being triangular with 3
traceried oculi under hoodmould. West side of the chapel is abutted by an early
C19 block with tall 2 storey entrance porch with twin arches. To the east of the
chapel is a Victorian Gothic cloister with 2 walks. Pointed arched open to the
cloister garth with large nook shafts and foliated capitals. The walks inside have
scissor-trussed open timber roofs. A 2 storey range with open arcade is returned
from the chapel to join the north cloister walk. Modern extension to south is
not included.

St Joseph's Convent, Summerhouse in grounds, and stone walls to the grounds form
a group.

Listing NGR: ST2323324139

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• St Joseph's Convent at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17555594

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  The Listed Buildings and Other Principal Structures at the Royal Gunpowder Mills Waltham Abbey
• 
  Pevsner's Architectural Glossary (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)
• 
  Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• 
  Staffordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  [(Shropshire)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1958)
• 
  Somerset: South and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)