Colstons Almshouses is a historic building on St Michaels Hill, Bristol, England. It was built in 1691 and has been designated by Historic England as a Grade I listed building.[1] The front wall and gates are also Grade I listed.[2] They are named after the Bristol-born merchant, philanthropist, slave trader, and Member of Parliament Edward Colston.
The almshouses were founded by Edward Colston for twelve inmates.[3] They were expected to attend the chapel twice a day for a prayer reading.[4] The baroque chapel contains panels made from ships' timbers and has a barrel vault.[1] On the front wall of the chapel is a plaque to Colston.[4]
It is a two-storey limestone building with hipped roofs with triangular canopies over the individual front doors.[4] The building is U-shaped, arranged around a courtyard with a wall forming the front of the complex.[1] The windows are divided by stone mullions and transoms.[4] There is a central bell cupola.[1]
The building was renovated in 1988.[5] The home provides twelve one-bedroom flats, laundry and communal lounge and a garden. The Society of Merchant Venturers is the trustee for the Almshouses.[6]
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