The Hanging Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chantry Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary |
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| The Hanging Chapel | |
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| Location | Langport, Somerset, England |
| Built | 13th century |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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| Designated | 17 April 1959 |
| Reference no. | 263183 |
| Designated | 3 July 2000 |
| Reference no. | 33713 |
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The Hanging Chapel, also known as the Chantry Chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is a very old and special building in Langport, Somerset, England. It was built in the 13th century. This unique building sits on top of an archway, which used to be part of the town's old defenses.
The chapel is officially recognized as a Grade I Listed Building. This means it is a very important historical site. It is also a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which gives it extra protection.
Contents
History of the Hanging Chapel
Early Beginnings and Town Gate
During the 1990s, archaeologists dug around the chapel. They found that the gateway and chapel were built on top of an old Saxon bank. This bank was part of the town's defenses long ago.
The archway you see today is all that is left of the town's east gate. This archway goes over what used to be the main road into Langport. It has a pointed, rounded shape, like a tunnel.
Changing Uses Over Time
After a big change in religion in England called the Reformation, the chapel found new purposes. It was first used by a group of local business people. They were part of a guild, which was like a club for tradesmen.
Later, in the late 1500s, the chapel briefly became the town hall. It also served as a courthouse around the same time. This shows how important the building was to the town.
A School and a Museum
In the early 1700s, the town gave the chapel to the people in charge of Thomas Gillett's free grammar school. This school had started in 1675. The chapel was repaired in 1706 and 1716 to become the school's home.
The grammar school used the building until 1790. After that, from 1818 to 1827, it was used as a Sunday school.
Later, the chapel became the Quekett museum. This museum was named after John Thomas Quekett, who was a famous scientist. His father was the headmaster of Langport Grammar School. The museum displayed a collection of stuffed birds from 1834 to 1875. The chapel has also been used as a place to store weapons, known as an armoury.
Current Use as a Masonic Hall
Since 1891, the Hanging Chapel has been a masonic hall. Today, the town council leases the building to a group called the Portcullis Lodge. This means it is still an active and important building in Langport.
Incidents and Repairs
The Hanging Chapel's archway has been hit by lorries a few times. In 1998, a lorry left long scratches, about 10 to 15 millimeters deep, on the archway. Luckily, there was no serious damage to the building's structure.
In April 2022, more serious damage happened when another lorry got stuck in the archway. Several stones were loosened from the old structure. Repairs were needed and were completed by September of that year.
See also
- List of Grade I listed buildings in South Somerset
