WINDLESHAW CHANTRY 15TH CENTURY GRADE II*
Known locally as Windleshaw Abbey but it was never an abbey. It is the remains of the (chantry) chapel of St Thomas of Canterbury in the Roman Catholic cemetery in Windlehurst. The chantry chapel was built in stone and until recently this was thought to be around 1453 but recent research has shed light on the exact date. It opened on June 21 1415. A researcher found a copy of a letter from the Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield which allows mass to be celebrated at the chantry from that date.
The tower and walls have been partly reconstructed. The tower has a pointed entrance, a west window and two-light bell openings. On its walls are memorials and a cross.
The chantry ruins are listed Grade II* and this grade means particularly important buildings of more than special interest. The ruins are also listed as a scheduled monument. In the UK, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change.
There are broken grave stones in the surrounding graveyard, which forms part of the scheduled monument.
This is the oldest structure in St Helens. Volunteers are working on conservation and restoration.
It was originally built by local landowner Sir Thomas Gerard as a place where masses would be said for Sir Thomas and his family.
After its closure in 1548, it gradually fell into ruin. From as early as the 1600s the area around it was used as a burial ground, especially for local Roman Catholics. (Lancashire had many recusant Catholics, long before the numbers increased due to Irish immigration.) At first, such burials were unofficial.
The site is adjoining St Helens Cemetery, which is large and owned by the local Council.
It is believed that Sir Thomas Gerard is the same one living from about 1360 to 1416, knighted in 1393 and the husband of Isabella Strangeways.
https://www.windleshawchantry.com/windleshaw-chantry-latest/more-on-the-history-of-windleshaw-chantry
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO LOG A FIND ON THIS VIRTUAL
A PHOTO (YOURSELF OR GPSr OR PIECE OF PAPER WITH YOUR CACHING NAME ON), TAKEN AT THE LISTED COORDINATES, BY THE ENTRANCE ON ABBEY ROAD, WITH THE CHANTRY IN THE BACKGROUND. PHOTOS TO BE INCLUDED WITH YOUR LOG.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU CAN ONLY ACCESS ABBEY ROAD FROM HARD LANE.
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