Woodchester, Gloucestershire

Description
Woodchester, a village and a parish in Gloucestershire. The village is 2 1/2 miles SW of Stroud, and has a station on the Stonehouse and Nailsworth branch of the M.R., and a post, money order, and telegraph office under Stroud. The parish comprises 1206 acres; population, 867. Woodchester Park, Woodchester House, the Priory, Park Hill, Atcombe Court, The Lawn, and Chesterhill House are chief residences. Remains of a fine Roman pavement are near the site of the old church, and remains of a Roman villa are in the gardens of the priory. The manufacture of broadcloths, flock and shoddy, and pins is carried on. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol; net value, £231 with residence. The church was rebuilt on a new site in 1864, and contains some ancient monuments removed from the old church. There are Baptist and Roman Catholic chapels, and an endowed school. A Dominican priory, large and handsome, with a Roman Catholic chapel attached, was erected in 1850, and educates candidates for the priesthood. A Franciscan convent, also with a chapel, was erected in 1859, and has about forty nuns. An orphanage in connection with the convent was established in 1862, and educates, feeds, and clothes forty children. There is a Baptist chapel.