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Reading Greyfriars - from prison to parish church Talk

Reading Greyfriars - from prison to parish church Talk Thu 10 Jul 25
2 - 3.30pm

£5 The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2nd Floor, Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading RG1 3BQ Built around 1300, Greyfriars Church is one of the oldest buildings in Reading and is the only surviving part of the town’s Franciscan friary. For almost 250 years, from the early 17th century to the mid-19th, it was used as the borough prison, or Bridewell. In 1862, it was sold to a local clergyman who spearheaded the conversion of the building back to ecclesiastical use. The talk will tell the story of when the building was a Bridewell, giving a glimpse inside the walls that only the unfortunate few had at the time. It will explore the reasons behind its conversion back to a church, finishing by considering its early years as a parish church, serving a mostly poor community. Our speaker is eminent local historian Malcolm Summers. After the talk, tea/coffee and cake will be available (included in the price). Pre-booking is preferred, but you can pay on the door, if there are spaces available. Image: Greyfriars Church, Friar Street, Reading, from the south-east, c. 1875. This event is organised by Berkshire Family History Society CIO, a registered charity number 1204390... READ MORE>

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