The Crossley Almshouses on Arden Road, Halifax were designed in Gothic Revival style by Roger Ives and built in 1863 [and completed in 1870] for Joseph Crossley near to People's Park, Halifax.
The original plans were to provide a chapel and 48 houses – living-room and bedroom – for the accommodation of the elderly of the district, provided that they were over 60 years old, of good character and had been – for at least two years – a member of a Protestant Trinitarian congregation.
Initially, the tenants received a weekly allowance of 8.6d per married couple, and 6/- for a single person. In January 1868, the allowances were increased to 10/- and 7/- respectively.
The western block – with its central meeting room – was the first section to be completed. The south block – with the chapel – and the north block were completed later.
The first 21 houses were completed in 1863, with plans for a further 27. There were legal problems when Joseph died in 1868, but a private Act of Parliament in 1869 enabled his son, Edward, to complete the work, building a further 27 houses. In all, there were 34 houses with a living room and a bedroom, 3 flats with a living room and a bedroom, and 11 flats with just one room. The whole complex cost £27,000.
There are 3 blocks around a central garden.
On 27th January 1864, the new chapel / preaching-room was opened with a sermon delivered by the Rev John Simpson of Ebenezer Chapel. At the end of the service, Joseph Crossley expressed his hopes that the residents of the houses would be as happy in living in them as he had been in building them. He also informed them that the endowment of the houses was fully accomplished.
The houses have been modernised in recent years
See John William Calvert, Joshua Ernest Hoyle and Swires Road Almshouses, Halifax
Page Ref: MMC215
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