Sat in an otherwise empty field, Heath Chapel looks to be a fairly plain and unassuming building. If it wasn’t for the ornate doorway, it could easily be overlooked.
Heath Chapel, a stone’s throw from Clee St Margaret, is all that’s left of a medieval village sat beneath Brown Clee Hill. Surprisingly, the chapel has remained virtually unaltered during its lifetime.
Alongside a photo of Heath Chapel (similar to the one above), The Talk of The Midlands column in the Birmingham Daily Post on 4th November 1958 reports: “Heath Chapel, on the west side of Brown Clee Hill, Shropshire, built 1090, which has received a grant from the Historic Churches Preservation Trust. There is no more perfect specimen of an early Norman chapel in England.”
Heath Chapel consists of just a nave and chancel. Its windows are few in number and small, the one in the north wall being enlarged around 300 years ago. The pulpit and box-pews are more recent additions, dating from the 17th century. The entrance door retains some 12th century wrought ironwork and the doorway is perhaps the only decorative feature on the outside.
In the Rambling column of the Birmingham Daily Post on 11th December 1971, an article entitled In the shadows of Salop’s highest hill describes the area as “The bracken-clad head and shoulders of Brown Clee (1,772ft), Shropshire’s highest hill, rise above an undulating patchwork of fields and woodlands whose hidden folds shelter villages little inclined to move into the 20th century.”
It goes on to describe Heath chapel: “The gem of the district is the simple but serenely lovely little chapel-of-ease, at the Heath, one of the best preserved Norman shrines in Britain, and virtually the same as when its builders completed it nearly 900 years ago. The only recognisable alteration has been the widening of one narrow lancet window behind the pulpit, presumably to brighten up dull sermons. It still serves a faithful few with services twice a month, and the Rev. Lewis, of Stoke St Milborough, in whose parish it is, tells me that the chalice he uses there dates from the early years of Queen Elizabeth I.”
The whitewashed interior walls look messy and untidy, but they hold something precious. Medieval wall paintings were discovered in 1911 having previously been covered in plaster. I believe the walls are currently awaiting conservation.
Heath Chapel hasn’t always been in such good condition. In 1793 Archdeacon Plymley found the walls to be cracked with ivy growing into them, the roof in bad condition and some of the pews decaying. Some windows had glass missing. In 1863 a family of pigeons had taken up residence in the roof, and the chapel was said to be in a state of “melancholy neglect”. A stained glass window was mentioned to be “beautifully executed”, but this medieval glass seems to have sadly disappeared. In 1903 an architect’s report commented on the deteriorating condition of the walls through damp and inadequate drainage.
The chapel was very much in use at this time, with articles in local newspapers mentioning seasonal services. On 29th September 1893, the Shrewsbury Chronicle reports “On Sunday afternoon last a harvest thanksgiving service was held in this church, which for ecclesiastical purposes is joined to that of Stoke St Milburgh. Heath Chapel, as it is commonly called, is a quaint old building of the Norman era, and is probably the only specimen of those ages for miles around in which divine service is held. It was a happy thought of the new Vicar’s to hold a service, and subsequent events fully proved it, for not only was the old edifice thronged with worshippers, but many could not obtain admission. The church was prettily decorated by some of the parishioners, and reflected much credit upon the workers.”
An article in the Wellington Journal on 30th December 1893 describes a Christmas service at the chapel: “The sacred building was decorated for the occasion. A Christmas service at this church is an event of note here, as in the knowledge of any of the residents around no such event is chronicled. Services were formerly held in this place of worship only once a month, whereas, since the advent of the new vicar, two, three, and sometimes four are held.”
Restoration of the chapel began in 1911/12, with parts of the chapel said to be in danger of imminent collapse. The walls were found to be without foundations, but work was made to remedy this. However, it is said that archaeology beneath the chapel was undoubtedly destroyed during the work.
I don’t know if any of my family members ever attended Heath Chapel, but I do wonder if my great-great-uncle sought peace there on the fateful day on which he took his own life at Harp Coppice, just a short walk down the lane, 99 years ago.
Wow this was such an interesting post! I love old buildings.
so much history and it’s so quaint too
A sad ending, Nikki, but a beautiful little chapel.
This is SO fascinating! I love church architecture and I appreciate all the photos and details you’ve shared here. I think it would give me chills to stand inside and reflect on its history. Your last paragraph is so poignant.
What a beautiful chapel with lots of history. Thanks for sharing.
The beauty of the details!
While we have some old stuff here in the States, we definitely don’t have anything THIS old.
So much history – and even mystery (like the medieval wall paintings) – surrounds you, Nikki!
What a fascinating building. I love all your photos highlighting all the little details.
Such a beautiful stone building.
What a wonderful ancient building. That was a very poignant last paragraph too.
Best wishes
Ellie
A sad ending to your post. How wonderful that this chapel is still standing after all this time, it’s amazing how buildings survive the test of time.
Somehow I can’t imagine today’s buildings still standing after that amount of time.
I can see why they added the window behind the pulpit. There’s not much for outside lighting in that church! But what a marvelous construction job they did to keep it still standing today. And they use it twice a month? That’s fantastic.
It appears the window behind the pulpit was to shed more light for readings from the Bible. Even with candles this would not have been at all easy in the gloom of the church.
What a enchanting little gem of a place and I loved reading its fascinating history. I could’t help but get a lump in my throat when reading your final paragraph … xxx
This is a delightful chapel. I hope they fully restore and uncover the wall paintings.
Such a tragic story about your great-great uncle.
Beautiful little church, but what a sad tale from your family history.
What a Historic chapel and i am happy to know that its not been abandoned but it is still in use for small events.
A quaint and lovely little chapel with a fascinating history, I love places like this 🙂
I love the interior and the stonework around the door. The title “Chapel of Ease” is really interesting. I like that a lot — all chapels should be “of ease.”
The great-great-uncle returned from the War?
Yes, he had been in the Royal Engineers in WW1. I can only assume he understandably struggled with that he had experienced and seen.
I love old buildings, especially when there is such history attached. So nice to learn about then Chapel, I always like to think about who has stood there before, what dis they do? What were they thinking?. Thank you for sharing all this great information on Heath Chapel.
What a sad ending, but as you say, let’s just believe that your great-great-uncle found some solace within its walls.
Dave has a whole collection of ‘interesting door’ photos he has taken over the years and this one would certainly qualify. I also love that timbered roof.
We live close to the historic town of Bradford-on-Avon, which amongst its many ‘regular’ churches has two lovely old chapels very similar to this one.
One is the Saxon church of St. Lawrence. The other is St Mary Tory Chapel, which is at the top of a very steep hill and boasts spectacular views across the Wiltshire countryside.
http://www.bradfordonavonmuseum.co.uk/saxon-church
Maybe you might get the opportunity to visit one day.
Thank you for a lovely post 🙂
Sorry I put the same link in twice!!!!!
https://saxonchurch.org.uk/st-mary-tory/
We visited Heath Chapel years ago, I loved the place. It had such a peaceful feel to it. It’s nice to see it’s still looked after and not changed.
What a stunning building. It is wonderful to read about it and discover its history. It’s been a while since I’ve been to an old church like this one. I should search for one in London, maybe I find a little gem.
Oh goodness, what a medievalist’s delight! Thank you for sharing so much of this beautiful building.
Sorry I have missed a few of your recent posts, a combination of trying to get stuff done outside before the weather breaks and the ensuing tiredness leaves little brain-power for the computer
What a wonderful survival, Nikki. I have visited many Chapels and Churches in Shropshire but have never come across this one
What an interesting spot! It’s so easy to walk straight past little places like this without ever realising the amazing history behind them. Thanks for bringing it to life for us!
I am so behind on visiting, glad I had this one open on my browser still. These old churches are so special, beautiful architectural details and so much history. Happy and sad ones too. I am so sorry about your great-great-uncle.
-Soma
I especially like all the details in this. The chapel is delightful.
I visited Heath Chapel several years ago and it is the most remarkable survivor. As you walk up to it the quiet and calm of the area envelopes you. The interior is remarkable. I love St George and the dragon most of all. I wonder at it today but what must the local parishioners have thought the first time they saw this painting on the wall of their chapel? It would have been in fresh, bright colours the like of which they may never have seen before.