History
Located in the village of Marshfield, South Gloucestershire, the Grade II* listed Crispe Almshouses, built by local benefactors, are an architectural and unique sight commanding a prominent position at the western entrance to the village. A monthly service of Holy Communion is still held in the chapel.
The Crispe Almshouses, which consist of eight unfurnished terraced cottages with a central chapel, were built by Nicholas and Ellis Crispe between 1612 and 1619. The Crispes were Marshfield men who had become wealthy London merchants. Nicholas was a member of the Skinners' Company and Ellis of the Salters' Company. The coats-of-arms on the stone tablet on the chapel wall are of these companies.
Each of the houses originally consisted of one room with a stone spiral staircase in one corner leading to a bedroom above. Earth closets at the top of the back gardens and a well in front of No 5 served the residents until 1939, when water and sewage services were connected. An extension at the rear of the houses in 1977 provided a kitchen and bathroom/toilet downstairs and a modern staircase for each house, plus central heating.
Page updated 7th November 2006.