The Chantry Chapel of St Mary is one of only five surviving bridge chapels in England. It was built between 1342 and 1356 - so it's quite a staggering age! Originally one of four in Wakefield, bridge chapels were intended to minister to the spiritual needs of travellers crossing the bridge and, as a chantry, a priest was employed to say masses for passers-by and for the souls of the wealthy benefactors who endowed it.
What you see now is largely the result of renovations in the 1800s and again in 1939. The original richly carved medieval facade was removed and used to front a boathouse at Kettlethorpe Hall! It has fairly recently been rescued and re-erected in a Wakefield park. The chapel has, I think, a lot of charm and is now Grade 1 listed, in the care of Wakefield Cathedral. I think it is still occasionally used for worship and as a meeting room.
A boat house!! Heavens! Gothic has never stooped so low. Love the front façade...and never would have thought of bridges to have their own chapels!
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful. I love the carvings.
ReplyDeleteThere is a chapel at St.Ives (Cambs) bridge over the River Ouse which unfortunately has been chopped, however, it was never so large and handsome as this one.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite striking.
ReplyDeleteThe details are amazing. It is good the facade has been rescued.
ReplyDelete