Heath Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heath Chapel |
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Heath Chapel from the south
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| OS grid reference | SO 557 856 |
| Location | Heath, Shropshire |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Website | Heath Chapel |
| History | |
| Dedication | None |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | Grade I |
| Designated | 12 November 1954 |
| Architectural type | Chapel |
| Style | Norman |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Siltstone and sandstone |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Stoke St. Milborough with the Heath |
| Deanery | Ludlow |
| Archdeaconry | Ludlow |
| Diocese | Hereford |
| Province | Canterbury |
Heath Chapel is a very old church building. It stands in a quiet field in Heath, Shropshire, England. This chapel belongs to the Anglican Church, which is the Church of England.
Heath Chapel is super special! It's listed as a Grade I building. This is the highest level of protection for historic places in England. Experts say it's a "perfect example" of a small Norman chapel. It's amazing because it hasn't changed much over hundreds of years.
History of the Chapel
Heath Chapel was built a long, long time ago. It was finished in the middle of the 12th century. That means it's almost 900 years old!
Around the 16th or 17th century, the roof of the main part of the church, called the nave, was fixed. At this time, a flat plaster ceiling was added to the chancel, which is the area around the altar. The walls were painted white, covering up older medieval paintings. Some Bible verses were also painted on the walls.
Later, these new paintings were also covered with whitewash. In the 17th century, a special rail was built around the altar. Wooden seats, called pews, were also put in the chancel and nave. In 1870, the floor was covered with flat stones.
In 1912, the ceiling in the chancel was removed. A new roof was built there. During this work, some of the old medieval wall paintings were uncovered again.
Chapel Architecture
Heath Chapel is built in the Norman style. This style was popular in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066. It uses strong, simple shapes and thick walls.
The chapel is made from grey siltstone and yellowish sandstone. It has a simple rectangular shape. It has a nave, which is the main part of the church, and a chancel, which is the area near the altar. There is no bell tower.
The chapel has strong supports on its walls called buttresses. These help the walls stand strong. There is also a decorative stone band, called a string course, around the middle of the chapel. The windows are quite small.
The main doorway is very old and interesting. It has two rows of columns with carved tops. It's decorated with zigzag patterns called chevrons. However, the flat stone above the door, called a tympanum, is plain.
Inside the Chapel
Inside, the arch leading to the chancel is also in the Norman style. It has two rows of columns and carved tops shaped like scallops. The baptismal font, where people are baptized, is shaped like a tub and is also from the Norman period.
You can see five old wooden box pews inside. These are like small, enclosed seating areas. There is also a two-level pulpit, where sermons are given. All these wooden pieces are from the 17th century. Another pew in the chancel was made from older, reused wood.
The communion rail goes around three sides of the altar. It has turned wooden posts called balusters. Some of the old wall paintings have been identified. On the south wall, you can see a painting of Saint George. Above the chancel arch, there's a painting of the Last Judgement. The Bible verses painted in the 17th century are still there, but they are very faded.
See also
- Grade I listed churches in Shropshire
- Listed buildings in Heath, Shropshire
