Abbot's Hospital

Abbot's Hospital, also known as The Hospital of the Blessed Trinity, is a Grade I listed charitable almshouse in Guildford, Surrey, England. It was founded in 1619 by George Abbot, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to provide homes for elderly residents of the town who were unable to support themselves.

History

George Abbot was born and raised in Guildford. He served as the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1611 to 1633, and was one of the translators of the King James Version of the Bible. Abbot's Hospital was one of his most significant acts of charity. He founded the hospital in 1619, and it was completed in 1622.

The hospital was designed to provide homes for a master and twelve brothers, and a mistress and eight sisters, all of whom were to be single or widowed and residents of Guildford. The residents were provided with a small weekly stipend, coal, and a yearly allowance for clothing. In return, they were expected to attend daily services in the hospital's chapel.

Architecture

The architecture of Abbot's Hospital is a notable example of Jacobean architecture. The main building is constructed of red brick, with stone dressings and a tiled roof. The central courtyard is surrounded by two-storey ranges, with a chapel at the eastern end. The western range, which originally housed the master and mistress, is slightly grander than the others, with a central projection topped by a cupola.

Today

Today, Abbot's Hospital continues to provide homes for elderly residents of Guildford. The original rules have been somewhat relaxed, and couples are now accepted as well as single people and widows. The hospital is managed by a board of trustees, and is funded by a combination of rental income, investments, and donations.

See also

• List of Grade I listed buildings in Surrey
• List of almshouses in the United Kingdom