Minsteracres

Minsteracres is an 18th century mansion house, now a Christian retreat centre, in Northumberland, England. It is a Grade II listed building[1].

The house was built in 1758 by George Silvertop.[2]. Originally erected with two storeys, a third storey was added in 1811 and a new North wing was built in 1865.[2].

The Silvertops were a Roman Catholic family.[3] George Silvertop was in 1831 the first Catholic appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland following the repeal of the penal law.[4]. His nephew Henry Charles Silvertop, High Sheriff in 1859[4] built a Catholic chapel adjoining the hall, and dedicated to St Elizabeth of Hungary in 1854[1][2]. The chapel is a Grade II listed building.

The Silvertop family sold the House in 1949 for conversion to a Passionist Monastery.

References

  1. ^ a b Keys to the Past
  2. ^ a b c English Heritage, Images of England
  3. ^ Burkes Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of England and Ireland (1835) Vol 3 pp300-2 Google Books
  4. ^ a b Archaelogia Aeliana CH Hunter Blair (1943) p47 and 51 Google Books