The architect of this building, which is some way from the church and village, was unknown until recently. The listing description by English Heritage refers to: ‘A house, probably of late-Georgian date, which was converted to use as a vicarage in phases between 1845 and 1857 to the designs of the vicar, Revd. John Parker.’

A report in the Shrewsbury Chronicle for 15 June, 1838, brought to light by Frances Ward, establishes that the original house was designed by Penson in 1833 as a vicarage for the then vicar, Dr Donne. It was later extended by the Rev’d John Parker in the idiosyncratic, Gothic style which he used for the church and other buildings in the village.

Tenders received for building the new vicarage greatly exceeded Penson’s estimates of the cost, which was to be covered at least in part from Queen Anne’s Bounty. It was agreed that Thomas’s son, Richard Kyrke Penson, would act as contractor, presumably for a lower price, even though he was under 21 and a minor: his father was at first reluctant to sanction the arrangement. Following delays in construction Richard departed for London, leaving his father to complete the work. The newspaper report, covering a subsequent lawsuit, gives further detail.