Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II* listed building. Main construction periods 1450 to 1599. A 16th century or earlier timber-framed building which has been interpreted as a pest house, but this is uncertain

Monument Types

• BUILDING (Medieval to Modern - 1450 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

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Description from record TQ 94 SE 17:
A small timber-framed building in the south-west corner of St Mary's Churchyard. Its origin and purpose are uncertain. (1) The building refered to by (1) carries a plaque which describes it as a15th century Pest House, restored in 1957. Now used as a Library, Museum and a Meeting House. It is in excellent condition. See GP AO/61/195/4. (2) Checked and correct. (3) (TQ 97964188, reference deduced, appear on plan as a unnamed building) (4) 5272 Timber-framed building in the south-west corner of the churchyard of Church of St Mary (formerly listed as Small Building in south-west corner of Church-yard). The Street (north-west side), Great Chart. TQ 9741 24/1A 14.2.67 Grade 2* C16 or earlier timber-framed building of one storey and 2 windows withplaster infilling, widely overhanding eaves on brackets with sprocketsabove and a hipped tiled roof. Two small red brick additions to the west. This building seems too small to have been the pre-Reformation priest-house and to old to have been intended for watching the churchyard. Its origin and purpose are uncertain, Sir Charles Igglesden, in his "Saunters through Kent with a Pen and Pencil", suggest that it was the pest-house, but its position makes this improbable. (5) The so-called Pest House is a long, narrow timber-framed building, single-storeyed and crowned by a roof on the deepest of bracketed eves. Perhaps it dates from the 16th century. Whenever it was built and whatever for the survival of such a small timber-framed building is highly unusual. (6)

The following text is from the original listed building designation:
1. 5272 GREAT CHART THE STREET (north-west side) Timber-framed building in the south-west corner of the churchyard of Church of St Mary (formerly listed as Small Building in south-west corner of Church-yard) TQ 9741 24/1A 14.2.67. II* 2. C16 or earlier timber-framed building of one storey and 2 windows with plaster infilling, widely overhanging eaves on brackets with sprockets above and a hipped tiled roof. Two small red brick additions to the west. This building seems too small to have been the pre-Reformation priest-house and too old to have been intended for watching the churchyard. Its origin and purpose are uncertain, Sir Charles Igglesden, in his "Saunters through Kent with a Pen and Pencil", suggests that it was the pest-house, but its position makes this improbable. Listing NGR: TQ9796041884 (7)

Historic England archive material: OP25172 View of the 'Pest House' in Great Chart from the south, with St Mary's Church behind

<1> MHLG West Ashford RD Kent 1887/11/A Oct 1960 31 (OS Card Reference). SKE47187.

<2> F1 ASP 15.12.61 (OS Card Reference). SKE42115.

<3> F2 CFW 01.01.64 (OS Card Reference). SKE43191.

<4> OS 1:2500 1971 (OS Card Reference). SKE48213.

<5> DOE(HHR) Boro of Ashford Kent Oct 1980 133 (OS Card Reference). SKE40821.

<6> Bldgs of Eng 1980 W Kent & the Weald 306 (J Newman) (OS Card Reference). SKE37708.

<7> Field report for monument TQ 94 SE 17 - December, 1961 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4785.

<7> English Heritage, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Map). SKE16160.

<8> Field report for monument TQ 94 SE 17 - January, 1964 (Bibliographic reference). SKE4786.

Sources and further reading