Chipping Ongar: Livingstone Cottages

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 7 Jun 2015

This block of 6 cottages is Grade II Listed and the English Heritage website describes it thus, additions in square brackets by the photographer:- "6 cottages in 2 blocks with a central passageway [leading to the United Reformed Church]. C18 with C20 rear extensions. Timber framed and rough rendered. Plain red tile roofs at two levels, with 4 hipped dormers to left and 4 gabled dormers to right, small paned casements and sliding sashes respectively. Moulded eaves cornices. 2 storeys and attics. 8 window range of small paned vertical sliding sash windows to first floor. Left block with 3 matching windows to ground floor and 3 four panelled doors with pediments and brackets. Right block with 3, 4 panel doors, flat canopies and brackets and moulded surrounds. 4 window range, two of which have 3 lights. A central plaque to this block records that they "[These cottages are] were vested in Trustees for the benefit of the [Ongar] Congregational Church, pursuant to the wishes of the late Josiah Gilbert [In memoriam] 15[th] August 1892". A plaque over the central passageway records that "in this room David Livingstone lived in 1838 just before proceeding to his great work in Central Africa". The passageway lintel is supported by ornate brackets and is boarded throughout." Please see Mike's Image and Image for close-up views of the plaques. The reason for Livingstone's presence in Chipping Ongar was that he was attached to the church in Ongar whilst undertaking his training under the direction of the London Missionary Society.

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