Abbots Hospital

George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury 1611 -1633, is buried in Holy Trinity.

In 1619 he founded and endowed The Hospital of the Blessed Trinity (for many years known as Abbot’s Hospital) as a gift to the people of Guildford “out of my love to the place of my birth”.

“Hospital” then meant a place where people were cared for, as in this almshouse.

Each Rector of Holy Trinity is a Governor of the Hospital.  One of the HTC team comes every month – normally on the 3rd Wednesday, at 10 am - to celebrate Holy Communion in the very fine Chapel.

Parishioners are welcome to attend this, as they are to come to the brief services led by the Master or one of his colleagues at 10 am most Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The first residents came in 1622, the most recent in 2008.

There are 5 flats for couples and 14 single flats; all of them are self-contained, with kitchen, sitting room, bedroom(s) and bathroom.

The entrance qualifications for residents have changed little since 1622.

Applicants must be aged over 60, must have been born or have lived for some time in Guildford, and must be “of modest means”, which these days is usually taken to mean not owning your own home. Members of the HTC congregation are particularly welcome to apply.

During the summer months tours are available on Saturdays and on Farmers’ Market days, starting at 11 am.

For find out more, email master@abbotshospital.org. or see www.abbotshospital.org