Local History

Minor Canon Row, a row of 7 town houses in Rochester, is being restored to re-capture its Georgian integrity. Oliver Leigh-Wood from The Spitalfields Trust gives a tour of Minor Canon Row:

Built between 1722 and 1723, Minor Canon Row is an outstanding example of early 18th century urban domestic architecture.

Original Georgian door-knock

Despite the conversion of most of the row to apartments in the 1950s, much of the original fabric and features have remarkably survived.

The row was originally built to house the Minor Canons (members of the clergy) of the city's cathedral and their families. In 1735, No. 7 was added to the east end of the row for the Cathedral's Organist.

From 1886 and 1892, the renowned actress Dame Sybil Thorndike lived as a child at No. 2 when her father was a Minor Canon.

An illustration of Minor Canon Row

Very Reverend Adrian Newman, Dean of Rochester, says "Minor Canon Row is an irreplaceable part of Rochester's history. It remains one of the places that people come to see when they visit here."

Over recent years Minor Canon Row became increasingly dilapidated and The Spitalfields Trust won the bid to restore the Row.

It's aimed the work to restore Minor Canon Row will be completed by the end of 2010.