Chapel Of The Hospital Of St Mary Magdalene, Medieval chapel in Ripon, England.
The Chapel of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene is a medieval religious building in Ripon constructed from limestone with Early English architectural details. The small, rectangular structure features a buttress on its western side and thick walls that have survived intact for centuries.
Archbishop Thurstan founded this chapel in the 12th century to serve as a place of worship for people suffering from leprosy. It remained in use through the medieval period and beyond, providing spiritual care to vulnerable patients long before modern medicine existed.
The chapel reflects the medieval belief that religious spaces could provide comfort and protection to the sick and vulnerable. The small building served as a sanctuary where prayer and care were intertwined for those in greatest need.
The chapel sits on the northeast side of town and is accessible on foot from the town center. The interior is compact and simple, so visitors can take in the entire space and its details fairly quickly.
Excavations in the 1980s uncovered human remains beneath the building, confirming its role as a place where people affected by leprosy lived and received care. These archaeological findings connect the visible structure to the real lives that unfolded within its walls.
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