In 1832 the leasehold of No. 28 John Street was purchased using contributions from the local parishes of St Mary's Bryanston Square, St Pancras and Paddington. It was intended to use the building as an "asylum for poor and aged believers in full communion with some Protestant church".

The residents were chosen by elections held every six months. The early occupants were mostly retired female servants or seamstresses of St Marylebone.

In 1836 the neighbouring houses - Nos. 27 and 29 - were acquired, as well as three other properties - Nos. 233-235 Marylebone Road - providing accommodation for 60 residents over the age of 60 years. (The Marylebone Road houses were later sold.)

In 1878 some 38 people were living in the John Street almshouses.

In 1899 the freehold for the houses was purchased and the foundation stone for a new building was laid by the Hon. Mary Powys in November 1899. The cost of the new almshouses was £7,000.

At some time between 1911 and 1914 John Street was renamed Crawford Place.

In 1917 the residents were required to possess a weekly income of at least 4s 6d (23p), independent of Parish Relief. Single men and widowers were not eligible for admission.

The almshouses were modernised and refurbished in 1950.

In 1989 they were converted into 12 self-contained apartments.

In 2014 the building was renovated again and, in June 2015, Harrison Housing took over its management.

In February 2017 Harrison Housing took over the Christian Union Almshouses charity.

Current status