Jesmond Dene - St Mary's Chapel

Cross Jesmond Dene Road opposite the Banqueting Hall and enter a small copse by the wooden gate provided. The copse, a small Dene formed by the course of a stream called the Moor Crook Letch, contains the remains of the Chapel of Our Lady of Jesmond or St. Mary's Chapel. The oldest church or chapel in Newcastle, this was probably built by the Grenville family, one-time Lords of Jesmond, early in the 12th Century, from which date are the remains of the pillars of the chancel arch.

The chapel is first mentioned in 1272 in an Assize Roll which records how five clerics helped a criminal escape from Newcastle Gaol - first to Jesmond Chapel and then to sanctuary at Tynemouth. Although the chapel was at one time in the possession of the Priors of Tynemouth, division of the manor between three sisters in 1333 led to confusion as to rights over the chapel and, at one time, three separate Chantries were maintained by their descendents; this confusion resulted in much scandal and damage, including stolen jewellery and chalices and in 1364, Edward III took claim. In 1549 the Mayor and Burgesses of Newcastle paid £144.13.4d to Edward VI to purchase the chapel and adjoining Hospice and in turn sold them to Sir Robert Brandling.

The Chapel has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries because of the divers miracles, reputed to have taken place among the sick who attended the Chapel and the neighbouring Holy Well. Even today there is an organised pilgrimage to the Chapel every year when a service is held in the ruins. Pilgrim street, in the centre of Newcastle, probably derives its name from being the route the pilgrims took on their journey to the Chapel. Following the Reformation and dissolution of the monasteries, the building thought to have been a hospital was rebuilt as a house, and the Chapel became a barn and stable; it passed through several hands until bought by Lord Armstrong who gifted it to the City.

Description courtesy of Friends of Jesmond Dene.

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22nd September 2021

St. Mary's Well

St. Mary's Well, which is Listed Grade II, is situated some 200 yards west of The Chapel and is traditionally considered a holy well, but it is probably no earlier than the 17th century. Its structure was remodelled in the 19th century. The well is located next to probable pilgrim's way leading to the nearby St. Mary's Chapel.

The visible remains include a well, a flagstone paved area enclosed by walls, and steps leading down to the well from the south. The well is circular in plan.

The well has been the subject of a partial excavation prior to restoration in 1982, which identified four phases of construction.
Phase one relates to the lower three courses of the well lining and the area of large flags immediately in front of the well opening and has been dated to the 17th century by brick fragments. The second phase saw the addition of a bath structure to the north west of the well by William Coulson in the early 18th century. This is not visible but will be preserved beneath the surface. The third phase, dated to the early 19th century, includes the enclosing of the well with the addition of the upper courses of the well-lining, capstone and door. Associated with this phase is the demolition of the bath, and the foundation courses of the west wall. The fourth phase is the erection of the east and west walls and the extension of the cobbled area to its present form.

Though the first historical reference to the well is in the 18th century and the present structure is believed to date from the 17th century, it is thought that there may have been a well of greater antiquity associated with St Mary's Chapel, which was a place of pilgrimage in the medieval period.

Source: Historic England.

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31st October 2009

 

 

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10th May 2007

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More Information:

• Sitelines - St Mary's Chapel
• Sitelines - Jesmond, St. Mary's Well
• Historic England - St Mary's Chapel
• Historic England - St Mary's Well
• Co-Curate - St Mary's Chapel
• Historiette - St Mary's Chapel

See my other photos around Jesmond Dene:

• Armstrong Bridge
• Armstrong Park
• Armstrong Park - The Shoe Tree
• Heaton Park
• Heaton Park - House of Adam
• Heaton, High - Paddy Freemans Park
• Jesmond
• Jesmond Dene
• Jesmond Dene - Fishermans Lodge Restaurant Fire
• Jesmond Dene - Pets Corner
• Jesmond Dene Banqueting Hall
• Jesmond Vale