St Charles Hospital

We recently visited the ‘treasures’ of St Charles Hospital. Most of us, as we go into the hospital for a routine blood test or an x-ray or perhaps to attend an activity at the Second Half Centre,  are unaware that above the entrance arch is a large former chapel, decorated with colourful Victorian tiles and painted religious texts. Apparently the Nightingale nurses who trained at the Hospital in its early days as Marylebone Infirmary were required to attend every day.

For many years the room was used as a store room until painters rediscovered the decoration. Originally there were stained glass windows but they were removed to put into the small chapel which was more appropriate for the Hospital’s requirements (now this is closed as well).

The other interesting space we visited is the former Laundry, now the Gym on the 3rd Floor with the imposing Tower containing the water tank rising from one end.

St Charles Hospital was listed – Grade II – in 1995.

Photos below by Dave Hucker

Ornate brickwork in the large chapel. Made from Sussex brick.

Victorian encaustic tiles on the wall of the large chapel.

One of many religious texts on the walls of the large chapel.

Part of a triptych in the small chapel, devoted to Saint Roche, patron saint of plagues, cholera, epidemics, relief from pestilence, skin diseases, knee problems and diseased cattle dogs.

Inscription under the stained glass window. The artist Leonard Potter was an assistant to Karl Parsons, a well known Stained Glass designer.

Painted glass window in the small chapel in memory of S.J.Cockrell, former matron of the hospital.

Wooden steps up leading to the water tank in the main tower.

Victorian pipework and valve coming from the water tank in the main tower.

For more about the history of the building that started life as an Infirmary for Marylebone Workhouse, see the following website:

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/