Church House (EHER 38345)

An 18th century timber framed and rendered house and shop. The building is two storeys with an attic and a cellar. The original main elevation is that facing north-west towards the Plume Library (EHER 7746) and a private garden can be accessed through the library boundary wall. Internally the building retains its late 18th century character. The building is the former home of Edward Bright, 1721-1750, who was reputed to be the 'Largest man .... who ever lived in this island'.

September 1971. Grade II listed. An 18th century timber framed and rendered house and shop. It has a half-hipped gambrel roof to the main block and a double range of parallel roofs to the rear, all in plain tiles. The building is two storeys with an attic and a cellar. The main elevation is that facing north-west towards the Plume Library (EHER 7746). The ground floor has a sash window either side of a central open-pedimented Tuscan doorcase with plain semicircular fanlight, panelled pilasters and pulvinated frieze. On the south-west corner is an entrance through the Plume Library boundary wall to a private garden with three stone steps. The High Street elevation has a two-storey canted bay window with flat roof. The alleyway is paved with grey stable blocks. Internally the building retains its late 18th century character: the entrance hall has a cornice ceiling and wide rear arch on pilasters of Adamesque character. The staircase beyond is a slightly curved dogleg well stair with turned balusters, hardwood handrail and shaped tread ends, and rises to the attic level. The rooms have a variety of contemporary cornices and there are numerous late 18th century doors and architraves. A first floor room has a ceiling with reeded bands. There are good early 19th century corner cupboard with doors, semicircular-arched head on pilasters and curved shelves. The building is the former home of Edward Bright, 1721-1750, who was reputed to be the 'Largest man .... who ever lived in this island'. <1> See photos <2>.