Inside the Rugeley care home that sits in a former Dominican priory and has its own church and organ
St Thomas Priory is a true hidden gem with a long history spanning hundreds of years
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Built in 1889, Rugeley's St Thomas Priory care home currently caters to our elderly residents, however, at one point in history, it would have been called home by a congregation of Dominican Order friars.
Originally named 'Hawksyard Priory', the historic Grade II listed building sits on Armitage Lane, Brereton, Cannock, and was developed on Armitage Park.
Looking at the building, it's easy to see its religious history.
The exterior of the priory features tall intricate walls with large beautiful windows encompassing an internal courtyard, however, while the brickwork itself is historic, the real history lies indoors.
Inside
As we enter the building, we are faced with a long - almost regal - hallway, all leading to rooms that the friars would slept, ate and worked in.
While the priory was built in 1883, the ground's history can be tracked as far back as 1270, and at one point acted as a the hairess of Lichfield, and even Mary Spode, widow of Josiah Spode the third, grandson of Josiah Spode, of the prestigious Spode Pottery Works.
