The Halls - St Andrew‘s and Blackfriars‘

When

Key dates in the history of The Halls:

• c.1250 The original site was founded by the Friars de Sacco
• 1307 The site was taken over by the Dominican Friars, replacing their site on Colegate
• 1310 The Dominican Friars flourished on the site and built a priory for 60 friars and a church
• 1325-45 The site was expanded significantly. Many of the earlier buildings were replaced and a new church was built. However, parts of the original structure were retained
• 1413 The church and friary were destroyed by fire, forcing the friars temporarily to move back to their original site
• 15^th century After the fire, plans were immediately made to rebuild the Dominican Friary. Masons began building a magnificent church. The friars reoccupied the buildings in c.1449, although the whole site was not completed until c.1465-70. This is the building you now see before you
• 1535-40 Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries - the Dominican Friary was forced to close
• 1712 The tall, hexagonal tower built over the chancel arch became unstable and collapsed
• 1863 Some restoration to St Andrew's Hall took place and an organ was inserted