Foster's Almshouses, Bristol

Building in Bristol, England

51°27′22″N 2°35′50″W / 51.4560°N 2.5973°W / 51.4560; -2.5973Construction started1861Completed1883

Foster's Almshouse (grid reference ST586732) is a historic building on Colston Street, Bristol, England. The almshouse was founded by a bequest from the 15th-century merchant John Foster in 1492; his will can be read online.^[1]

The west wing of the current building was built in 1861, the north wing in 1872, and the south and east wings in 1880-83 by Foster and Wood. The Chapel of the Three Kings of Cologne, which was built for the use of those living in the Almshouse, was restored at the same time.^[2]

It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building.^[3]

In 2007 Bristol Charities, which runs the almshouse, sold the existing buildings to a developer to develop into private accommodation. This decision was taken because the existing buildings were judged to be unfit for the purpose of housing the old and often infirm occupants who lived there.^[4] The proceeds of the sale have been used to establish a new purpose-built 'John Foster's Almshouse' in Henbury in north Bristol.^[5]

References

^ Evan T. Jones (ed.), '‘Will of John Foster, merchant of Bristol, 6 August 1492’', The National Archives, PROB 11/9, fos. 65-66 (University of Bristol, ROSE, 2008)
^ Brace, Keith (1976). Portrait of Bristol. London: Robert Hale. ISBN 0-7091-5435-6.
^ Historic England. "Foster's Almshouses Foster's Almshouses And Attached Walls, Railings And Gates (1282306)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
^ 'End of an era for almshouses', 26 September 2006.
^ 'The new John Foster’s Almshouse in Henbury, north Bristol'. Archived 2009-07-28 at the Wayback Machine