The Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin

Wakefield

Services and Events held in the Chantry Chapel

The chapel was originally in the ecclesiastical district of St Mary, congregation mainly came from the Primrose Hill and Lower Kirkgate areas of Wakefield which
were mainly working class. In the 1960's the chantry came under the district of St Andrew's when St Mary's church was demolished in that decade.

The chantry is now in the care of the Dean and Chapter of Wakefield Cathedral

Regular services are held in the Chantry Chapel on Wakefield Bridge on the first Sunday of each month at 4.30pm.

Other services can be arranged by contacting Wakefield Cathedral.

Services are not the only thing to take place in the building since the Friends of the Chantry Chapel was established.
Open Days are always a popular event - opening the doors to those who use the 'new' bridge and never stop to walk on the original crossing of the Calder.

2006, was a very special year for 'our little treasure' as it saw the 650th Anniversary of the Chapels founding

and the Friends marked the occasion in style, as befits one of Wakefield's best loved landmarks.

Services are held in the Chapel on the first and third Sundays of each month at 4:30pm

Events 2011

Open Days / Exhibitions	Talks / Entertainment
The Chantry is one of the venues for the Wakefield Art Walk which is held on the last Wednesday of alternate months from 5pm to 9pm. The exhibitions are provided by local artists.	HE HISTORY OF THE DIOCESE OF WAKEFIELD Three illustrated talks by Kate Taylor Monday mornings at 10.30am in the Chantry Admission free  14 March  The origins and growth of the Diocese  21 March   Reorganisation, reordering and redundan Churches          28 March   The changing role and status of women Tea/coffee and biscuits available Donations to the Friends fund for maintaining the Chantry welcomed
Open Days for 2011 Monday 30 May, Monday 29 August, Sunday 11 September. And on Wednesday afternoons during June, July and August from 1pm - 3pm	Mondays 14, 21 and 28 May 10.30am  A course of three talks on the History of the Diocese of Wakefield given by Kate Taylor, MA Oxon, FSA, Hon Lay Canon of Wakefield Cathedral. Admission free.
Flower Festival and Cake Stall 9 July 10am to 4pm	21 - 28 May Open from 10am - 5pm The Chantry Chapel plays host to an exhibition by Gallery Arts to mark the opening of the Hepworth Wakefield
	Thursday 16 June 2011 7:30pm An illustrated talk by Pat McLaughlin about the varied faces that appear on church buildings. Admission £3 at the door
Linda Goulding	Tuesday 28 June 2011 7:30pm The Greener Gals An evening of Musical entertainment Tickets £10 available from Kate Taylor
Heritage Open Day Sunday 11 September 11am - 3pm The Friends are again opening the Chantry for this year's National Heritage Weekend. Admission Free	The Chantry Bridge will once again be the venue for The Party-on-the-Bridge Saturday 9 July 2011 10am - 3pm Admission Free
	Macmillan Coffee Morning Friday 30th September 10:30am - 1:00pm The Chapel is playing host to this national event
	October 10th, 17th and 24th at 10:30 am Three Monday morning talks on the History of the Diocese of Wakefield given by Kate Taylor, MA Oxon, FSA, Hon Lay Canon of Wakefield Cathedral. Admission free and coffee and biscuits will be provided. Donations to the upkeep of the Chantry will be welcomed and gratefully received
	Monday 21 November  at 10.30am   Illustrated talk  by Jan Millington on Sacred Landscape. Admission free. Coffee/tea and biscuits available
	Friday 25 November  at 7.30pm   St Austin's Choir   Music for Advent  Tickets £5 , including interval refreshments, from Kate Taylor 19 Pinder's Grove, Wakefield, WF1 4AH. Cheques to be made payable to the Friends of Wakefield Chantry Chapel
	Tuesday 20 December  at 7.30pm  The Accord Singers  Music and Readings for Christmas   Tickets £5 including mulled wine and mince pie from  Kate Taylor 19 Pinder's Grove, Wakefield, WF1 4AH. Cheques to be made payable to the Friends of Wakefield Chantry Chapel

The Friends of the Chantry Chapel look forward to welcoming you into one of Wakefield's 'little treasures'.

Past events at the Chantry have included :-

In 1999 Wakefield Flower Club provided a flower festival for the Chapel. Theatrical events, for example, "This son of York" reflecting on the life of
Richard II ; "Uneasy lied the head" based on the life of Charles I, have also taken place in the Chantry, bridge for the bridge at Nostell Priory, together
with a programme of music and reading at Christmas.

page last updated May 2011

Further reading :

The Pious Undertaking by Kate Taylor ISBN 09018694572003

Walkers History of Wakefield - now out of print

Wakefield in Old Picture Postcards by John Goodchild ISBN 9028848231 1990

The Chapel on the Bridge - a short history of Rotherham Bridge and the Chapel of Our Lady by Martin Gleaden (www.fitzmartyn.co.uk)

St Mary's Chapel on the Bridge baptisms 1855-1870 by Wakefield & District Family History Group ISBN 1902022882

Please take a moment to sign the guestbook / thank you