The Deanery and Vestries, Cathedral of St John the Evangelist

Cadw's description

Location

Running S from the SW corner of the Cathedral.

History

The Deanery and Vestries occupy the W cloister range of the Priory. The tower and range to its S are medieval (a late C13/early C14 doorway remains in situ, as well as a C14 window in the tower). This range was extended to S around 1700. The range to the N of the tower was rebuilt as stables after the Dissolution. By the later C19 the tower had lost its top stage, and the N section of the stables was in use as a vestry. In September 1925 W D Caroe, architect began a sympathetic conversion to Vestry, Canonry (now Deanery), and Choir Room. The top stage of the tower is Caroe's as are many of the windows (esp to E), 3 doorways, and the buttresses to the tower. For full account of a complex building history see References.

Exterior

Long range of buildings, stone with stone slate roofs; mainly wooden mullion and transom windows. The N block is of 2 storeys plus attic with large flat-roofed 8-light dormer (Caroe's) on ridge. Chimney at L angle. Four mullion and transom windows on first floor; on ground floor a doorway, 2 windows, a further doorway and 4-light window. Four-stage tower with parapet and 2 stepped buttresses; single window to each stage, 5-light on ground floor, 3-light window to first floor; 2-light windows above. To S of tower a 3- and 2-storey block with roof hipped to R. Left section of 3 storeys with 4 mullion and transom windows on top floor, 3 windows on other floors; doorway with shouldered arch. At S end, parlour block of 2 storeys with 2 windows to each floor. South return wall with shallow chimney breast and single window to each floor.
The E elevation is more complex. From N, vestry range has 8 Gothic windows set at eaves (mainly Caroe's). On ground floor, to R, Gothic doorway and 4 small square-headed windows, then two 3-light mullion and transom windows. The tower has 2 windows to upper stage above a fine C14 window of 3 cusped lights. Below this, 2 mullion and transom windows, and a blocked doorway. To L of tower is a stone gable with single window, and 2 windows to each floor below the gable. On ground floor a broad C20 extension masks medieval doorway. At S end of block, attic window (with hipped roof) set across eaves and mullioned windows to first and ground floors.

Interior

Vestry (former stables) has high early C17 6-bay ceiling on re-used stone corbels. Remains of stalls of C17 stable with semi-elliptical arches with pendants and 2 wooden columns. First floor retains 9 roof trusses of early C17. Room at S end has early C17 chamfered stone fireplace. Deanery retains late C13/early C14 doorway and medieval staircase lobby; C16 staircase chamber. South room has early C18 bolection-moulded fireplace. Surviving medieval stair doorways. In first floor room of tower is medieval stone fireplace with inscription "SE(?)MB" obscured by C18 cornice. Re-set medieval corbels. Second floor of Deanery has fine re-used medieval stone fireplace. Tudor fireplace on first floor of Deanery. Four-bay roof of Deanery has arched collar-beam trusses of mid-C16 date. C18 and C19 detailing in some rooms. The interior was sensitively converted by W D Caroe in the late 1920s, and retains fine late Arts & Crafts doors and fittings from this period.

Reason for designation

Graded I as a structure occupying the W cloister range of the medieval Priory with surviving medieval structure and details, as well as features from C17 and C18, sensitively converted by leading early C20 architect. Group value with the other listed buildings at the cathedral.
The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, the Priory Walls and gateways, the Almonry, the Tithe Barn, the Deanery and Vestries, and the Chapter House and Diocesan Centre (with Canonry Flat and Clergy House) form an exceptional group of medieval buildings.