History of the Building
15th - 18th Century
A barn was constructed on site some time before the 1846 enclosure map. It is difficult to conclude the exact date as this type of stone agricultural construction was common from 15th to 18th century. However, it is likely to have been a 15th/16th-century Tithe barn, due to the vent slits and proximity to St John the Baptist Church (GI listed) located on the opposite side of Church Street. Tithes were originally a tax that required one-tenth of all agricultural produce to be paid annually to support the local church and clergy. After the Reformation and the establishment of the Church of England (1534) much land passed from the Church to lay owners who inherited entitlement to receive tithes, along with the land.
1600's
An L-plan Vicarage was built to house the vicar from St John theBaptist Church (possibly on site of an earlier building).
1730’s
Shortly after the construction of the neighbouring Red House (1731), the Vicarage was remodeled with a new brick front (east) elevation, and a newbrick outer skin to the side (south) elevation. The Red House would have been the first brick building in the town. This along with the rigid symmetry and simple classical details would have been at the height of Georgian fashion. The interior is also majorly reordered to reflect the new symmetrical frontage. Two-storey bay windows were added later to the front (east) elevation.
1809
Old Rectory was built across the road (the Vicarage was vacated).
1877
New High Street shops built (Taylor’s Buildings and Town Hall) replacing earlier building seen on 1846 Enclosure Map.
1882-1898
New Church Hall replaces Tithe Barn, retaining and incorporating the rear (north) wall of the barn. From 1889 OS map onwards the hall is labelled a Sunday School. It will have been at this time that the 17th century stone chimney stack to rear (west) of Vicarage will have been rebuilt in brick 20th Century
1958
A brick-built Kitchen off-shot was added to west of hall.
1961-1967
Alteration of 17th-century elevation which connects the vicarage to the hall and removal of two dorma windows to front (east) roof slope (both not mentioned in 1967 listing description).
1967
Listed Grade II (09/01/1967)
1968
Construction of new rear glazed entrance with flat roof, re-roofing in concrete tiles (slates in 1967 listing description). The architect was Ken Ward.