Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The origins of the hospital date back to the 11th century when it was originally founded by Bishop Gundulph for the poor and leprous of the district. A new hospital was finally built between 1861-63, designed by R. P. Pope and erected by Messrs Stump as a long two-storey building of red brick with white stone dressing. Additions were made to the hospital over the years with a number of small or temporary wards, operating theatres being built as well as housing for staff.

Monument Types

• HOSPITAL (Medieval - 1078 AD? to 1078 AD (post))

Full description

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The origins of the hospital date back to the 11th century when it was originally founded by Bishop Gundulph for the poor and leprous of the district. It survived the dissolution of the priory of Rochester in 1541 but allowes to fall into a state of decay over the years due to lack of funds. The only remains of the medieval hospital are the 12th century remains at the east end of the nearby hospital chapel (TQ 76 NE 2) restored and rebuilt by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the late 19th century. A new hospital was finally built between 1861-63, designed by R. P. Pope and erected by Messrs Stump as a long two-storey building of red brick with white stone dressing. The location of the build was criticised, but had the advantage of being already owned by the hopsital charity. The hospital had a central administrative section connected on either side by long "Nightingale" style wards. Although the building was finished in 1863 the west wing was only opened in 1894 due to the lack of funds. Additions were made to the hospital over the years with a number of small or temporay wards, operating theatres being built as well as housing for staff.(1)

St Bartholomew's Hospital was used for some 50 civilian beds at some time during World War 1. The building is still in use. (2)

In 2017 Historic England considered whether the building should be designated as a Listed Building. They concluded that the degree of alteration of the original building meant that it was not suitable for listing. (3)

<1> RCHME, 1993, Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England: Compilation of Kent Hospitals Record Sheets, NBR:101365 (Unpublished document). SKE6841.

<2> Hazel Basford, 2004, Kent VAD - the work of voluntary aid detachments in Kent during the first World War (Unpublished document). SKE31644.

<3> Historic England, 2017, Case Name: St Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester, Kent: case number 1443378 (Listing Report). SKE32321.

Sources and further reading

Related records

Related thematic articles

• Medieval Kent (Thematic Essay)