The Chapel of Our Lady

The Chapel of Our Lady

The Chapel of Our Lady
Frederick Street
Rotherham
South Yourkshire
S60 1QJ

Tel: 01709 364 737

Web: The Chapel of Our Lady

About The Chapel of Our Lady

This is one of only four surviving examples of a medieval bridge chantry. It has enjoyed a long and chequered history.

It was built in 1483 with money from local people and was very richly decorated. It is possible that much of the cost was borne by Thomas Rotherham, Archbishop of York.

In about 1500, Leland wrote 'I enterid into Rotheram by a fair stone bridge of iiij arches, and on hit is a chapel of stone well wrought'.

The chapel was popular with travellers, who used it to pray for a safe journey, or to give thanks for a safe arrival. With the Act for the Dissolution of Colleges and Chanceries in 1547, the chapel was closed. It survived only because it was an integral part of the bridge.

1n 1643, during the English Civil War, a great battle was fought on the bridge, between the Earl of Newcastle's Royalist troops and a spirited resistance led by Colonel Gill of Carr House.

Thirty grammar school boys and their cannons played a notable part in the town's defence, but the Royalists won the day. The town was taken by nightfall, and was occupied for three days.

By the 1680's the chapel was in ruinous condition and, apart from minor repairs, remained that way for nearly 100 years. In 1778 work began on converting the chapel to a prison, at a cost of around £136. The chapel was turned into living quarters and the crypt became the town gaol. The gaol closed in 1826.

Following the departure of the constable and his "guests", the chapel was rented as a dwelling house until 1888, when it opened for business as a tobacconist and newsagent's shop. In 1901 a petition signed by almost 1000 Rotherham residents called for the restoration of the chapel. The tobacconist's was bought out in 1913 by Sir Charles Stoddart, and closed down. He died before the restoration could be completed but the vicar and churchwardens finished the repairs. The chapel was reconsecrated on 22 July 1924.

In 1975 a new stained glass window was installed. It charts the history of the chapel and town, and incorporates many family crests and the initials of people associated with the chapel (and gaol!).

The Chapel

The chapel is a rare survivor and has been lovingly restored and preserved. It is still in use for regular services. If you look closely at the walls, you can still see the remains of the original chapel, the dwelling place and the shop.

The Window

Marvel at the sheer number of symbols and initials skilfully woven into this window. Below are a few examples - we bet you could find more.
•The portcullis stands for the time when the crypt was used as a gaol.
•The shell is a symbol for travellers - the people who used the chapel.
•'JB' stands for John Bokying - he left money to build the chapel.
•'M' stands for Mary Queen of Scots who prayed in the chapel.

The Crypt

The chapel served as the town gaol for 47 years and it is from these times that the name 'Gaol Bridge' originates. The name survived in the memories of some of the town's older residents and could still be heard until quite recent times.

Unfortunately, we have little evidence of how the interior of the chapel looked at this time. BUT we do have the original cell doors from 1779 - complete with original graffiti.

Why not come and see if any of YOUR ancestors were kept here.