Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin

This Wakefield landmark is one of only 4 surviving bridge chapels in England. They are sometimes built at one end of the bridge, but often they are an important part of the structural support, as this one is. It was built in 1356, restored in 1842 and again more recently.

In medieval times bridge chapels were used to minister to the spiritual needs of travelers passing over the bridge. Many were established as chantries, employing a priest to say masses for passers by and for the repose of the souls of the bridge's benefactors.Read more