Urishay Castle Chapel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Urishay Castle Chapel |
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Urishay Castle Chapel with the castle remains to the left
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| Location | Near Peterchurch, Herefordshire, England |
| Built | 12th century |
| Restored | 1911, 1982–84 |
| Governing body | Friends of Friendless Churches |
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Listed Building – Grade II*
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| Designated | 17 January 1949 |
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Urishay Castle Chapel is a very old chapel located near Urishay Castle. It stands about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) west of the village of Peterchurch in Herefordshire, England. This special building is no longer used for regular church services.
The chapel is listed as a Grade II* listed building on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's a very important historical site. It is cared for by a group called the Friends of Friendless Churches. The chapel is also a Scheduled Monument, which gives it even more protection.
Contents
History of Urishay Castle Chapel
How Old is the Chapel?
The chapel was built inside the bailey (the outer courtyard) of Urishay Castle. It is the oldest chapel built specifically for a castle in Herefordshire. The first part, called the nave, was built in the early 1100s. A second part, the chancel, was added in the late 1100s.
What Was the Chapel Used For?
Over the years, the chapel changed a lot. In the 1500s and 1600s, some changes were made to the building. Later, it was used for many different things. It was a blacksmith's forge, where metal was shaped. It was also a carpenter's shop and even a dog kennel!
Restoration and Repairs
By the early 1900s, the chapel was mostly a ruin. This means it was falling apart. After a report from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, some work was done. It was opened for worship again in 1914. However, it closed once more in 1923.
By 1949, it was a ruin again, with holes in the roof. In 1978, a charity called the Friends of Friendless Churches took over its care. They started a big repair project. Most of the walls were rebuilt, and the work finished in 2009. Even today, only part of the roof is complete.
In 1914, people saw traces of old wall paintings inside. Sadly, these paintings have now completely disappeared. In the 1980s, evidence of several small graves was found. These were for infants, as no adult burials ever happened at the chapel.
Architecture of the Chapel
What is the Chapel Made Of?
The chapel is built from stone rubble, which means rough, broken stones. Its roof is made of stone slates. The building has two main parts: the nave and the chancel. Both parts are about the same width.
Doors and Windows
In the north wall of the chancel, there are two doors. One was added in the 1900s. The other is an original priest's door with a round top. There are also two windows in the north wall. One is small with a round top. The other is larger with a square top, likely from the 1600s.
The east wall has a window with a four-pointed top, probably from the early 1500s. In the north wall of the nave, there is a narrow window with a square top. The south wall has a window with a pointed top and a doorway with a round top. The west wall has two single windows at different heights.
Inside the Chapel
Inside, you can still see some old fittings. There is an altar slab, which is a stone table used for religious ceremonies. It has five special crosses carved into it. You can also see the base of a font from the 1800s. A font is a basin used for baptisms.
