Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Glastonbury

The Hospital of St Mary Magdalene in Glastonbury, Somerset, England was built around 1310 by Glastonbury Abbey. It is a Grade II* listed building,[1] and part has been scheduled as an ancient monument.[2]

Hospital of St Mary Magdalene
LocationGlastonbury, Somerset, England
Coordinates51.1450°N 2.7178°W / 51.1450; -2.7178
Builtc. 1310
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official name: Almshouses and Chapel of St Mary Magdalene's Hospital
Designated21 June 1950[1]
Reference no.1057909
Official name: Part of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Magdalene Street
Designated24 April 1951[2]
Reference no.1020789
Location of Hospital of St Mary Magdalene in Somerset

History

The hospital was built before 1322, as almshouses for ten men, with a chapel. Parts of the original chapel still survive. This was once attached to a hall which was demolished after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The rest of the buildings are late medieval,[1] believed to have been built in 1444.[3]

A previous hospital supported by Glastonbury Abbey moved to the current site around 1250 and in 1460 dedicated to Mary Magdalene the patron saint of lepers.[4][5] In the 16th century it was considered a chantry and financial support for the brethren and priest being given by the abbey until the dissolution. After this funding was provided by the crown and county treasurer of hospitals.[4]

The hall roof was removed and the cubicles on each side converted into individual dwellings, or cells, leading to the chapel.[2] In the early 17th century the almshouses were described as "ruinous" and by 1703 the chapel had lost its roof.[4]

In the 19th century conversion and updating reduced the number of dwellings and provided a communal wash house.[2] The south side of the parallel rows was demolished in the 1960s and a communal garden and flats for the elderly built on the site.[6][4][7] One of the almshouses has been restored and is open to the public.[5]

Architecture

The stone chapel is a single room. The original lancet window has been blocked up. On the roof is a small bellcote which is more recent than the walls of the building.[2] It has space for two bells one of which still exists.[7] The cells are of two storeys and have slate roofs.[1]

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References
  1. "Almshouses and Chapel of St Mary Magdalene's Hospital". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Part of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Magdalene Street". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Chapel". St Margaret's Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almhouses. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. Siraut, M.C.; Thacker, A.T.; Williamson, Elizabeth. "Glastonbury: Town Pages 16-43 A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 9, Glastonbury and Street". British History Online. Victoria County History. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "Almshouses". St Margaret's Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almshouses. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "St Margaret's Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almshouses". Pilgrim Reception in Glastonbury. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. "23575: Hospital of St Mary, Chapel and Men's Almshouses, Magdalene Street, Glastonbury". South West Heritage Trust. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
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