By Barry Richardson

Following last week’s internal building progress update, we return to look at why St Mary’s is considered such an outstanding piece of mediaeval architecture by highlighting the Chantries, which indirectly circle back to the Re-Awakening Project.

Short Read:

In the Chancel are two rare Chantries – stone chapels named after their historical benefactors, Markham and Meryng. These "stone cages" are among only about 25 remaining in England, which wealthy individuals established and endowed to ensure regular prayers for their souls. This highlights the historical wealth and significance of families in the Newark locality.

Chantries were dedicated spaces (mini-Chapels) for offering daily prayers, typically Low Mass, for the souls of the deceased, believed to aid their journey through purgatory.

The English Reformation, particularly Edward VI's Act of 1547, led to the dissolution of chantries and seizure of assets, primarily to generate revenue for the Crown, but also to distinguish the (then new) English Church from the Roman Catholic predecessor. Despite this purge, St. Mary's two chantries survived, serving as beautiful architectural gems in their own right sitting comfortably in the building.

The Markham Chantry (south) and Meryng Chantry (north) bear the names of local families. The Meryng Chantry, established around 1500, was endowed by Thomas Meryng, and the Markham Chantry, established after Robert Markham's death in 1505, features rare surviving "Dance of Death" artwork.

Notably, the Re-Awakening Project's creation of a new self-contained meeting space, named after another benefactor, Thomas Magnus, echoes that same historical tradition of adapting the church space to meet contemporary needs while appreciating its past. This new space may well become an enduring part of the church's architecture, just as the chantries have survived a passing half millenium.

St. Mary's Architectural Gems - the Chantries

Back Through the West Door: A Re-Awakening Project Update