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The modestly named ‘Hospital
of God Hartlepool has origins stretching
back many a century. It was founded in
1273 by Robert de Stichell, the then Bishop of Durham, as a refuge for the poor
and elderly.
However, by the 16th
century it was being used more as a “house of entertainment for gentlemen”,
and, though it was ‘reformed’ in 1610, it eventually fell into a state of
considerable disrepair by 1724. It seems
to have then revived briefly – including a move to allow women access to the facilities
from 1761 – before declining again by the end of the 18th century.
At the turn of the 19th
century the site was cleared and the present structure built during 1803-04. It is likely that the original buildings
occupied the lawned area in front of the present, and rather pleasant, affair –
though no traces remain. For the last
two centuries it seems to have been in continuous use and added to from time to
time.
The institution still cares for
the infirm today, with 63 almshouses maintained on the site and around the
village.
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