Old Town Hall (EHER 26006)

15th century timber-framed guildhall with 19th century alterations.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: TH (NAT). <1> The Town Hall was probably built as a Guildhall about 1578. Repaired in 1760 and enlarged in 1837 and 1855. Early in this century it was rebuilt above the ground floor, in 16th century style. Grade II. <2> <3> Old Town Hall. Offices, former Town Hall and former Guild Hall. 15th century and later. (RCHM 16) Grade II. <4> April 1975. Field visit. As described; not outstanding. See photograph. <5> 1999. Survey. The guildhall, later the Town Hall is located at the northern end of the market on the junction of Star Hill and the High Street. It is a timber-framed building with jettied first floor of 15th century date. There were two guilds in Great Dunmow, St John's and St Saviour's, locally this guildhall is attributed to St John's Guild. The guilds were closed in 1545 and the guildhall passed into the hands of the Town Corporation. In 1596 a sum of money was allowed for providing a clock for the guildhall. <6> Known at the time of Dunmow's charter in 1571 as guilds as there are notices in the Church Wardens accounts pre-reformation of two of these, St. Saviour Guild and St John's Guild, and it is significant that the adjoining cottages, now forming part of our office accommodation, have for many years been known as St John's House. This house was unfortunately greatly rebuilt in the 1930s, however, the wall adjacent to the town hall was obviously left intact and a panel of the original plaster, almost certainly more than 400 years old, can be inspected through the glass panel over the staircase at the end of the room. Mr J.M. Welch purchased St John's House in 1968 and added part of the ground floor accommodation to office use. <7> See also: <8>