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Summary

Grade II listed former rectory by the Kennet, documented in late 18th century and for a period incorporated inside a shop as well as being a YWCA hostel; converted to offices in the late 20th century

Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1290297: THE OLD ST NICHOLAS RECTORY (PART OF NOS 2 AND 3)
• Conservation Area: Newbury Town Centre

Other Statuses and Cross-References

• National Monuments Record No.: SU 46 NE 231
  SU 4714 6719 - Old St Nicholas (sic) Rectory
• Old Listed Building Ref (pre 1984) (II): ø 1/87 The Rector's House (now incorporated in the House of Toomer)
  C.18. Indicated on 1768 map. Two storeys, brick with 3-light sash windows and three attic dormers in hipped tiled roof. Good late C.18 doorway with fanlight. Interior: Contemporary staircase and some reused C.17 panelling and some rough C.18 dado.

Monument Type(s):

• VICARAGE (18th century to Late 19th century - 1768 AD (pre) to 1880 AD (pre))
• CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HOSTEL (Mid 20th century - 1950 AD? to 1950 AD?)
• OFFICE (Late 20th century - Present - 1985 AD to 1990 AD?)

Full Description

Willis' map of 1768 <1> marks 'The Rector's House' in a complex of buildings on the north bank of the Kennet, just east of the bridge in the centre of Newbury. The parish church of St Nicolas lies to the west. By the time of late 19th century OS Town Plan <2> it is the 'Old Rectory House', an L shaped building attached on its north side to a range running back from Northbrook Street, but with a plot of land on its west and east side. Later the former Rector's House became incorporated into the House of Toomer shop, the Toomer family having occupied 4 Northbrook Street since 1694 <3>, though the frontage of No 4 was rebuilt in 1935. The shop had been destroyed by fire in 1961 but the old Rectory was saved <3> and the shop was built again. The Fifth Edition OS map of 1967 <7> maps the extent of this shop, with the Rector's House not obviously identified as a separate entity within the large polygon, numbered as 2 and 3 Northbrook Street.

In the later 20th century the former rectory was renovated and extended as part of a group of new office buildings on Canal Walk on Toomer's Wharf, separate from the shop. The building had been listed at Grade II since c 1950 <4><5> and in the description is said to then be a hostel for the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA). The listed building description <5> has the date of the façade as early 19th century although elsewhere the doorway has been assigned to the 18th century <3>, and there was once reused 17th century panelling inside.

Photographs in West Berkshire Museum show the roof around 1958, and the building in around 1905 <6>.

The Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England took photographs of the Old St Nicholas (sic) Rectory in 1983 <8>, possibly prior to its alterations to offices. A Listed Building Consent application in 1985 sought to demolish sheds, storage buildings and toilet block <10> which appear to have been attached to the former rectory on its east side. They were described as old retail storage or warehouse buildings, and the case officer considered them to be of no architectural merit. A further application was also approved for a site called The Rectory and Stables, for the renovation, repair and small addition to existing building for use as offices <11>.

Sources and further reading

Related Monuments

Associated Excavations and Fieldwork

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