Chapel of St Mary Magdalene |
Hob Uid: 24445 | |
Location : County Durham City of Durham
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Grid Ref : NZ2826042900 |
Summary : Ruined remains of chapel, built mid-15th century to replace an earlier 13th century hospital chapel, dissolved in 1546. The Hospital was founded in the mid-13th century and was dependent on Durham Cathedral. The chapel was rebuilt in 1370 but demolished in 1450 as it was in a ruinous condition. The present chapel is that replacement chapel which was built a little to the West of the earlier chapel. The hospital was last documented as extant in 1534. Remains of the hospital or chapel were observed as foundations in 1822. |
More information : NZ 2826 4290 St Mary Magdalene's Chapel [NR] (In Ruins) [NAT] (1)
St Mary Magdalene's Chapel built 1449-51 incorporates parts of an earlier chapel which stood a little to the east. Plan (3). The chapels formed part of the hospital of St Mary Magdalene founded in the 13th century and dissolved 1546. (2-4)
Surtees stated that there were "no remains of the infirmary but it probably stood a few paces to the east of the chapel where considerable foundations were discovered a few years ago". [Possibly the foundations of earlier chapel]. (5)
Chapel of St Mary Magdalene. Grade I. (6)
The remains of the chapel are as described. It measures 15.6 m NE/SW by 7.3 m. The walls are 1.2 m thick standing to about 5.2 m high at the gables and 2.6 m high elsewhere. There is an entrance 1.2 m wide in the W end of the N wall and the SW wall is supported by two large buttresses. See ground photographs. - FAS/NR 2/14. From the E - FAS/ NR 2/15. From the SW. Published Survey (1:1250) Revised. (7)
Chapel of St Mary Magdalene (formerly listed in Magdalene Lane). Hospital chapel, founded in the 13th century; 14th century east window in 15th century rebuilding of chapel. Grade I. (8)
The site was visited by RCHME during a survey of scheduled monuments in County Durham.
The roofless shell of the chapel is preserved within a modern enclosure and adjoining the public road. The east and west gables survive almost to full height, the latter with two buttresses, and the side walls are 2 m - 2.5 m high. There is no trace of an earlier chapel or of an infirmary to the east noted by previous authorities; a dual carriageway road skirts the south and east. (9)
Description and history of the hospital. (10)
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