The Porter's Lodge, Greatham Hospital. c.1907. Eliza Dowsing (wife of James Richardson Dowsing, the Porter), in the doorway with son William. The Porter's Lodge (now demolished) was just inside the main gates to Greatham Hall.
Date (of image) : 1907
Donor : Mrs. Janice Nicholson
Creator : unknown
Location
A selection of photographs and documents kindly shared with this project by Mrs. Janice Nicholson.
More detail »The Hospital of God at Greatham is an ancient charity founded by Robert de Sitchell, the Bishop of Durham in 1273 to care for poor and elderly people.
King Henry III had obtained the Manor of Greatham from Simon de Montfort following his defeat at the battle of Evesham in 1265. Robert de Sitchell then made and won a legal claim for the land on the basis that as Crown Palatine he had the right to all land plundered or gained within his royal franchise as Bishop of Durham.
Having obtained possession of the Manor of Greatham the Bishop built the first Hospital - a place of shelter and hospitality - for five priests and forty poor lay men. He installed a Master to care for them and dedicated the Hospital to the Honour of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Cutherbert.
The Hospital of God has a Residential Care Home, Nursing Home and Day Centres together with 110 almshouses in Greatham, Norton and Stockton-on-Tees. It is now embarking upon a major redevelopment of its facilities at Greatham to continue the tradition of caring that has existed for the last 730 years.
For more information please visit the Hospital of God website at www.hospitalofgod.org.uk.
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