History
St Petrock and Heavitree Parish Lands Charity is an amalgamation of several charities with almshouses possibly dating back to 1500’s. One of the earliest records is that following the dissolution, the Mainwaring family acquired the medieval chapel of St Anns for almshouses. These were for eight poor men & women, each having two small rooms and a garden. The Civil War caused damage to the chapel, which was then restored in 1907-1910, at which time the chaplain’s house was demolished and two of the cottages were rebuilt in red brick and half-timbering. The two cottages at the rear of the site have original C16th walls, undergoing refurbishment in 1986.
1500’s
1873
The Charity Commission gave permission in 1873 to St Loyes Almshouses to build new almshouses replacing the existing properties in Salters Road. A local Heavitree builder, James W Webber & company were given the contract; and a carved stone plaque commemorates the rebuilding ‘AD1874’. However, by 1974 the properties had been extended & rebuilt as it was decided the original buildings had reached ‘the end of their useful life’.
In 1877 the Parish Lands Charity completed negotiations with the Magdalen Charity and purchased a plot of land in Magdalen Street. The Charity Commission agreed, in 1879, for the funds from St Petrocks Charity to meet the costs of new almshouses being built on the land; comprising of two houses each with two residences. These were completed in 1879; followed by further upgrading in 1945. This site was refurbished in 2011.
1877
1878
Frances Gardens was originally called ‘The Frances Homes’ and were named after the wife of the Very Rev, Archibald Boyd, Dean of Exeter. Dr Boyd paid for the site and building of the almshouses in 1878 and together as trustees, the Dean and Chapter deemed the residents were to be female, at least 60 years of age, be of the Church of England faith, have lived in Exeter for at least five years, and receive an income not exceeding £12 per year.
A plaque records The Frances Homes as being severely damaged by enemy action on 3-4 May 1942, rendering them uninhabitable. They were rebuilt by the Dean and Chapter in 1949 receiving a generous contribution towards the work from the Mayor of Exeter’s Air Raid Relief Fund.
1942
1949
One of the ‘newer’ almshouse sites is St Petrocks Close and Premier Place. The land for these almshouses was purchased in June 1949 and in 1951 the plans were approved by Exeter City Council subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions was that the entrance from Wonford Road should be a cul-de-sac with only a footpath leading to Premier Place. The site consists of ten flats in St Petrocks Close and four in Premier Place.
Frances Gardens, as it later became known, underwent a major renovation in 2008 with the then Deputy Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Kevin Mitchell, formally re-opening Frances Gardens on 29 July 2008.
2008
2019
Aware of the need for further almshouse accommodation the trustees decided to buy a plot of residential land in the Whipton Area to provide Elizabeth Gardens, a new almshouse development of 22 flats. This smart modern development opened in 2019 and offers natural light, level access showers and convenient fixtures and fittings. Solar panels give consideration to the use and cost of energy.
In 2024, the charity became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This transition marked a key step in modernising the charity’s governance structure, strengthening its ability to operate effectively and meet current regulatory standards, while continuing its historic mission. The charity is now supported by a small and committed team:
•General Manager & Clerk to the Feoffees – responsible for the overall management of the charity, including governance, operations, and strategic planning
•Administrative Support – assisting with day-to-day administration and communication with residents
Today, while the legal and operational framework has evolved, the charity remains firmly committed to its founding purpose: offering safe and affordable housing to individuals over the age of 55, who are on low income and have a local connection to Exeter.