Saint Mary's Chapel

Religious Place In Jesmond Dene, Tyne And Wear

A ruined chapel that was once a popular place for pilgrimages.

If you believe local legends, then after the Norman conquest ended in the 11th century an apparition of the Virgin Mary (most likely holding the baby Jesus) appeared at what is now known as St Mary's Rock - a waterfall next to the mill in Jesmond Dene.

Churches encouraged their congregation to go on pilgrimages to visit the place called Jesmond (meaning Jesus Mound) so in the 12th Century St. Mary's Chapel was built nearby. It was the oldest church in the whole of Newcastle.

Others believed that the chapel housed a holy relic linked to the Virgin Mary. Sacred relics tend to be bones of saints or fragments of the holy cross. This added to the prestige of the chapel.

It was also reported that miracles happened here as well as at the nearby holy well again bringing more visitors. Then in the 14th/15th century the side chapel was built. This side chapel is what still stands today.

Back in the day visitors used to lodge on Pilgrim Street on their way to the chapel.

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How To Find Saint Mary's Chapel

Where Is Saint Mary's Chapel?

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Lat / Long

54.992629, -1.596322

What three words

lung.wage.mash

Where To Park For Saint Mary's Chapel?

You can park on the street right next to it.

Contributed by Simon Hawkins

Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue Pele tower up a remote hill or a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.

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