Held at: | Private Collection |
Reference: | RS |
Source: | Original photographs |
Title: | Digital Archive: Photographs of Urishay Castle Chapel |
Place name: | Michaelchurch Escley |
Date: | 2021 |
Description:
Photographs of Urishay Castle Chapel mostly taken during Herefordshire Heritage Week opening, September 2021, courtesy of Friends of Friendless Churches who have preserved the chapel ruins. Their description of the chapel history is available on this website via the link.
The chapel is built in the bailey of Urishay Castle and is said to be the earliest purpose-built chapel to a castle in Herefordshire. The original castle was replaced with a manor house in the 17th century, which in turn became derelict in 1921 and is now only a ruin. The chapel nave dates from the early 12th century, and an extension forming the chancel was added in the late 12th century. Alterations were made to the chapel in the 16th and 17th centuries. By the early part of the 20th century it was a ruin. Following some refurbishment work it was re-dedicated for public worship between 1914 and 1923 but by 1949 it was again in ruins, and in 1978 it was vested in the charity the Friends of Friendless Churches. The charity carried out a programme of repairs to consolidate and preserve the remains, which were completed in 2009.
Aerial view of the ruins of Urishay Castle manor house with the chapel to the left
[from http://www.ecastles.co.uk - photo by Paul R Davis]
Ruins of Urishay Castle Manor House on the castle mound
Ruins of Urishay Castle Manor House on the castle mound
Urishay Castle Chapel with the Manor House ruins behind
Urishay Castle Chapel chancel with the ruined nave open to the sky
Urishay Castle Chapel chancel with the ruined nave open to the sky
Urishay Castle Chapel chancel with the ruined nave open to the sky
Urishay Castle Chapel chancel with the ruined nave open to the sky
Urishay Castle Chapel ruined nave and entrance door facing the manor house
Interior wall of the nave with the ruins of Urishay Castle manor house in the background
Interior end wall of the ruined nave
External view of the end wall of the ruined nave
External view of the end wall of the ruined nave
External view of the end wall of the ruined nave with the ruins of Urishay Castle manor house behind
External view of the end wall of the ruined nave with the ruins of Urishay Castle manor house behind
Interior of the chancel; altar and beamed roof
Interior of the chancel; side window looking out onto castle ruins
Interior of the chancel; entrance door and beamed roof
Interior of the chancel; entrance door and modern wall to the left sealing off the ruined nave
Interior window in the chancel
Preserved carved stone roof finial
Observations:
None
Ref: rs_mic_0664