Minsden Chapel facts for kids
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Minsden Chapel is an old, ruined building in the countryside. It is found near a small village called Chapelfoot, close to Preston in Hertfordshire, England. Today, the chapel has no roof and is surrounded by a small forest. You can only reach it by walking on a path. This chapel is a very important historical site. It is protected as a Scheduled Monument and is also a Grade II Listed building.
Contents
The Chapel's Long History
How Old Is Minsden Chapel?
Minsden Chapel was first built a very long time ago, in the 1300s. By the 1600s, it had started to fall apart. Even though it was crumbling, people still used it for weddings. This continued until the 1700s. The building became too unsafe for ceremonies. There's a story that in 1738, a piece of stone fell during a wedding. It knocked the prayer book right out of the priest's hand!
Reginald Hine and His Love for the Chapel
In the 1900s, a historian named Reginald Hine became very connected to the chapel. He lived nearby in Baldock and visited Minsden Chapel often. He loved the chapel so much that he got a special agreement. This agreement allowed him to use the building for his whole life. He even put up a sign warning people not to damage the chapel. He said he would protect its walls even after he died. Reginald Hine is not buried at Minsden Chapel. His ashes were scattered there after he passed away. His family placed a memorial stone at the site. This stone was later laid flat after vandals damaged it in the 1980s.
The Famous Ghost Photo
In 1907, a photographer named Thomas William Latchmore took a picture at the chapel. He was a friend of Reginald Hine. This photo seemed to show a ghostly monk. Around this time, stories about ghosts at the chapel began to spread. People often reported seeing a single monk climbing stairs. These stairs no longer exist. This sighting was said to happen at midnight on Halloween.
Other Spooky Stories
People have also reported other strange things at Minsden Chapel. Some have seen a glowing cross on a wall. Others have heard distant music or the sound of bells ringing. These bells were stolen a long time ago. There are also old legends about a secret tunnel. This tunnel was supposedly built during the time of the Crusades. It was said to stretch all the way to Temple Dinsley nearby. Another legend tells the story of a murdered nun.
The Truth About the Ghost Photo
In 1930, Thomas William Latchmore finally admitted the truth. He told a writer that his "Minsden Ghost" photo was a trick. He explained that he used a special photography method. This method is called "double exposure." It means taking two pictures on the same piece of film. Latchmore never said who posed as the ghost. But it was probably his friend Reginald Hine. Hine was known for playing jokes. Reginald Hine even put the photo in his book in 1929. He never told anyone it was a fake.
A Night at the Chapel
A person who studies strange events, Peter Underwood, spent a night at the chapel. This was in the late 1940s. He said he heard distant music. He also claimed to see a white glowing cross on a wall. It appeared and disappeared. However, he thought it might have been the moonlight playing tricks. A full moon was shining through the trees that night.
Changes to the Chapel Over Time
The famous arch of Minsden Chapel fell down in 2008. This happened because of time and weather. By 2012, most of the north wall had also disappeared. In 2017, there were worries that the chapel might be sold. This made people fear they would lose access to the site.
Protecting the Chapel Today
Work to fix Minsden Chapel began in March 2022. Natural England and Historic England are working together. Their goal is to make the south wall stronger. They also want to protect the whole building. They are adding a hard cap to the top of the walls. This will help keep the chapel safe for many more years.
Gallery
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Minsden Chapel in 2016
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The overgrown ruins of Minsden chapel, in May 2004
See also
In Spanish: Capilla de Minsden para niños
