Timeline.

1492 - Wealthy merchant and Bristol Mayor John Foster leaves funds in his will for the accommodation and maintenance of 13 poor and disadvantaged elderly people.

1553 - Dr George Owen, physician to King Henry VIII, makes provisions for an additional ten "poor persons" to live at the almshouses.

1835 - Bristol Municipal Charities take over the management of the almshouses from the Bristol Corporation and commissions noted Bristol architects Foster & Wood to redesign the almshouses and chapel.

1861 - The construction of the South Wing (facing Colston Street) commences. The Chapel of the Three Kings is refaced and re-roofed, and three new statue niches are installed.

1872 - The construction of the East Wing and the walkway, two towers and statue niches (facing Colston Street) commences.

1880 - The construction of the North Wing, adjacent to the Christmas Steps, the walkway, spiral staircase and three basement shops commences.

1960 - The three statues of the Three Wise Men, designed by celebrated artist and sculptor Ernest Pascoe (1922-1996), are are installed in the Chapel.

1963 - The stained glass window depicting the Three Wise Men, designed by celebrated stained glass artist Patrick Pollen (1928-2010), are installed in the Chapel.

2007 - The almshouses, chapel and Christmas Steps shops are sold to a private developer, who converts them into into private apartments. The proceeds are used to build a modern purpose-built retirement home in Henbury, North Bristol.