History

Saint Leonard's Hospice / Hospital

Tickhill Parish Room began life in 1470 as Saint Leonard's Hospice / Hospital.

Between the Norman conquest and the middle of the sixteenth century, almost 700 hospitals were founded in England. Many of them were not hospitals in the modern sense. Their name was derived from the Latin term hospitalis, which meant "to be concerned with hospites, or guests" and visitors were anyone who needed a place to stay.

In the Middle Ages Hospices flourished as places of hospitality for the wounded, sick, or dying, as well as for pilgrims and travellers.

Our Grade II* listed building (St Leonard; Hospital) has had many different uses down the centuries and has been altered and repaired many times. It was once made into three dwellings, signs of which can be seen today. In 1898 ownership transferred to St. Mary’s Church to whom the building still belongs and it was converted into a meeting room for the parishioners of Tickhill.

EXTRACTS FROM HOME WORDS FOR HEARTH AND HEART 1898
THE PARISH ROOM FROM PAGE 217
The old St. Leonard’s Hospital, which has been purchased by the generosity of Miss Alderson and the Right Hon. F.J.S. Foljambe, has now been completely transformed and arranged as a Parish Room.
It remains now the property of the Church in Tickhill and has been conveyed to the York Diocesan Trust. It will be used for such small meetings as it will accommodate and it will be a great boon. Sixty persons can easily be seated, and there is a platform permanently fixed. A piano also has been kindly given by Miss Alderson, so that we may anticipate many bright meetings. The inaugural meeting, by way of opening the new room, will be held on Wednesday evening, October 20th, at 7 o’clock. Miss Woodhouse, of Doncaster, with others, will give addresses.

THE PARISH ROOM FROM PAGE 264
We were able, in the magazine for October, to announce that the Parish Room was ready for use. We are glad now to say that the first meeting has been held in it, and the room formally inaugurated for its useful purpose.This meeting took place in the afternoon of Wednesday, 26th October, and was on behalf of the Zenana Missions of the Church. The room was well filled - upwards of 70 persons being present. We were somewhat afraid, as the time for opening the meeting passed and our deputation did not arrive, that some mistake had been made. But after some little delay, the party from Doncaster arrived, with the news that they had escaped injury from what threatened to be a very serious accident. A broken shaft and damage to the carriage was bad enough, but we were glad that, although late, no harm was done to any of the party.
The meeting was very hearty, and listened to the address of Miss Hobbs, who represented the society. She explained the object of its work among the women of India, and the great need for its hearty support. A collection after the meeting realised £3 3s 101/2d, and the amount was sent to Mrs R. Morris, of Doncaster, the local Secretary.