St Catherine's Chapel, Lydiate facts for kids
St Catherine's Chapel is a very old building in Lydiate, Merseyside, England. People often call it Lydiate Abbey. It was built around the year 1500. A powerful family called the Ireland family built it for their own private prayers. They were in charge of Lydiate from 1410 to 1673.
The chapel was probably stopped being used around 1550. This was after King Henry VIII made big changes to churches and monasteries in England. Even though the chapel stopped being used, a small graveyard next to it was still used until the late 1800s.
Today, St Catherine's Chapel is a beautiful ruin. You can find it on the A5147 road, right next to the Scotch Piper Inn. It is a very important historical site. It is listed as a Grade II* listed building and a Scheduled monument. This means it is protected because of its special history.
In recent years, fun outdoor plays by William Shakespeare have been held at the chapel. Markets are also held there in the summer. You can find food, spices, face painting, and carnival games.
Contents
The Chapel's History
Who Built St Catherine's Chapel?
The Ireland family built St Catherine's Chapel. They were important landowners in Lydiate for many years. They wanted a special place to worship close to their home. This was common for wealthy families long ago.
Why Did It Stop Being Used?
The chapel's main use likely ended around 1550. This was during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries. King Henry VIII closed down many religious buildings across England. He wanted to take their wealth and power. This event changed how people worshipped and where they went to church.
What Can You See Today?
A Protected Ruin
St Catherine's Chapel is now a ruin, but it is carefully looked after. Being a Grade II* listed building means it is a very important historic building. Being a Scheduled monument gives it even more protection. These titles help make sure the chapel's history is preserved for everyone to see.
Fun Events at the Chapel
Even as a ruin, the chapel is a lively place!
- Shakespeare Plays: Every year, actors perform plays by William Shakespeare in the chapel grounds. It's a unique way to enjoy classic stories in a historic setting.
- Summer Markets: During the summer, the chapel hosts markets. These markets are full of fun things like tasty food, interesting spices, face painting, and carnival games. It's a great place for families to visit.
Music Inspired by the Chapel
A musician named Daniel Fisher-Jones, also known as Aerospherix, created a special music track about St Catherine's Chapel. He released this music on July 10, 2016. It's called 'Mission 47'. You can listen to it for free online. A video was also made for the music by Lewis Tait (TMG). The video uses timelapse photography to show the chapel changing over time. This helps you feel like you are visiting the chapel yourself.
Images for kids
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The east end of the Chapel.
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South wall windows.
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Interior view of the tower.
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Information about the Chapel.
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A view of the chapel from a distance.
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St Catherine's Chapel lit up at night by DJ LewyT Event Services and Mark Ament Discos.
