Description

LINTON MAIN STREET
SD 9862-9962
(south side, off)
12/64 Fountaine's Hospital
10.9.54
GV II*
Chapel and almshouses. 1721 by Richard Fountaine, extended to rear late
C19. Ashlar and rubble stone; stone slate roofs. 2 storeys, 7 bays, the
central bay breaks forward slightly and projects as a 2-bay chapel to rear,
the outer bays project 1 bay to front and approximately 3 bays to rear. A
Palladian facade composed of central tower with 8-panel door in a slightly
recessed semi-circular rusticated archway with hollow moulding to surround;
the cornice above forms the base of a wide apron with cornice and semi-
circular headed niche with imposts on broad panelled pilasters. Giant
pilasters flank the doorway and support an entablature with triglyphs and a
massive cornice which breaks forward above the pilasters. The projections
support urn-shaped finials flanking the bellcote with round-arched louvred
opening, panelled pilasters, cornice and lead cupola surmounted by a
weather vane. The flanking 2-bay ranges each have a 6-panel door with 8-
pane overlight and 24-pane sash to ground floor, the door to outside, and
12-pane casements to first floor; these openings are set in Gibbs surrounds
with triple keystones and rusticated jambs; moulded cornice and blocking
course above. Flanking wings: the central window to ground and first floor
as main range but in a moulded architrave; the doorways face inwards and
have projecting surrounds; the corners have clasping pilasters overlain by
projecting quoins matching the Gibbs surrounds and a shallow corniced
pediment. Corniced ridge stack to each wing; tall stacks towards rear,
flanking entrance tower. Rear: the chapel has a south Venetian window
composed of a central round-arched light flanked by lower rectangular
light, in an architrave. The 2 side windows are round-arched, of 5 x 4
lights with fanlight. The rear wings are of rubble, with C19 south
extension on the east wing and refenestration. Interior: the outer door
has enormous strap hinges on its inner side. A small vestibule within the
entrance has a board door to left and right, the strap hinges hung on
pintles. The chapel contains late C19 fittings and a false ceiling
possibly concealing earlier plasterwork. Interior of cottages not
inspected. Richard Fountaine of Linton made a fortune in London and by his
will of July 15,1721 an estate was purchased and the hospital erected on
his estate at Linton; £26 p.a. was to be spent on 6 poor men or women in
the parish and £20 p.a. to the minister, if he resided in the parish, for
reading prayers twice every week. By the early C19 the chapel was in decay
and the foundation apparently subject to corruption. In 1812 new trustees
were appointed and a period of improvement began. The building may have
been designed by William Wakefield, who designed houses from 1713 in a
style close to Vanburgh. T. D. Whitaker, History and Antiquities of the
Deanery of Craven, 1805, reprinted 1973, p550. ~ ~

Listing NGR: SD9970762686

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q17534851

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

• 
  [(Cumberland and Westmorland)] [By (author) Nikolaus Pevsner] published on (January, 1967)
• 
  Hampshire: South (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Old House Handbook: A Practical Guide to Care and Repair by Hunt. Roger ( 2008 ) Hardcover
• 
  Northumberland (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living
• 
  Oxfordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)