Mercers Hall, Gloucester

Mercers Hall is a former warehouse in Gloucester, England. It is located on the corner of Cross Keys Lane and Mercers' Alley, also known as Pinchbelly Alley,[1] in the centre of the city. It is currently used as a Masonic Hall and is grade II listed with Historic England.

Mercers Hall (centre left) on a 1950s map.

History

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The building was constructed in the second half of the eighteenth century. By 1810 it was occupied by a cider merchant and brewer who used the upper floor as a grain store. It incorporates a sixteenth century roof and other timber-framed elements thought to have been taken from a market hall in Gloucester owned by St Peter's Abbey, and from a barn.[2][3] It was known as Mercer's Hall by 1878[2] and in 1898 was purchased by Washbourn Brothers who used it as a bonded warehouse for alcohol. In 1926 it was converted into a function room and dance hall by Charles Urch.[4] During the Second World War it was used as a canteen for American forces, run by Gloucester Rotary Club.[2] The hall was purchased by Gloucester Freemasons in 1955 who use it as a masonic temple for several local lodges.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Jordan, Christine. (2015). Secret Gloucester. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4456-4689-3.
  2. ^ a b c "Gloucester Masonic Hall", plaque, City of Gloucester.
  3. ^ Historic England. "Mercers Hall (1271657)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b Gloucester Masonic Hall. Innsworth Lodge No 8751. Retrieved 19 August 2017.

51°51′55″N 2°14′49″W / 51.86527°N 2.24708°W / 51.86527; -2.24708