The Lady Chapel, Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Grace

Introduction

The chapel serves as the diocesan shrine for the Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough.

History

In 1515 Thomas Parkinson entered the hermitage at the Lady Chapel, provided for by Katharine of Aragon. On the eve of Little Lady Day, September 7 1614, 16 people were arrested and confessed to having prayed at the chapel. In 1665 Lady Juliana Walmsley arranged for the foundation of a Franciscan Friary in the Old Hall in Osmotherley, for the help and support of pilgrims to the Lady Chapel. In 1916 Flora Morrish discovered the ruined chapel and contacted Sir Thomas Hugh Bell, the owner of the land.

In 1948, Marist Fathers celebrated Holy Mass in the ruins for perhaps the first time since the Dissolution. Ralph Scrope asked Mr Robson, the York architect who had restored the Shrine of Margaret Clitheroe, to draw up plans for the restoration; these were approved in 1956 and planning permission was granted the following year. In 1958 the Lady Chapel was established as a National Monument, and the first diocesan pilgrimage for the Feast of the Assumption was organised. Restoration work began in 1959, using closely matching stone from the remains of Rosedale Abbey and building on existing foundations.

In 1965 the Franciscan Friars returned to Osmotherley to resume their ministry supporting pilgrims to the restored shrine. In 1994 the friars withdrew and the Bishop of Middlesbrough invited Benedictine monks from Ampleforth Abbey to take their place. The chapel was returned to the Diocese of Middlesbrough’s care in 2013.

Architecture and furnishings

The chapel has a deep moulded plinth, offset diagonal buttresses, and a board door in an original chamfered surround with a 4-centred arch and hoodmould. The interior has two C20 hammer-beam roof trusses.

The chapel contains a 17th-century statue of the Madonna and Child given by Lady Eldon. The stained glass windows carry the arms of Queen Katharine of Aragon and of the Scrope and Eldon families. The old stone bears remnants of inscriptions, initials and prayers of pilgrims incised during penal times, including a dated example of 1647.

Music and liturgy

Friends of the Lady Chapel members are united in the spirituality of the Lady Chapel through an annual Mass and daily prayers. The short walk from Osmotherley to the chapel is marked by the Stations of the Cross. Vestments and alb are available for the celebration of Mass at the shrine.

Parish life

The Friends of the Lady Chapel was launched in 2016 and seeks new members. The Lady Chapel is kept open for private prayer and reflection, and organised pilgrimage groups are requested to book in advance. Facilities available upon request at the Lady Chapel include male, female and disabled toilets, a meeting room, Blessed Sacrament chapel, piety shop, kitchen and sacristy. All priests are welcome to celebrate the sacraments with their pilgrimage group or to concelebrate at the shrine, and are requested to sign the Register for Officiating Clergy kept at the shrine.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The chapel remains open at all times, and every day pilgrims come, singly and in groups, to ask Our Lady to intercede for their various intentions. The chapel is under the pastoral care of St Mary's Cathedral, Middlesbrough.

Visiting

The Lady Chapel is at the end of Ruebury Lane DL6 3AP, half a mile north of Osmotherley and half a mile east of Mount Grace Priory and Arncliffe Wood. Access for disabled pilgrims and the elderly may be difficult, but access by motor vehicle can be arranged after prior arrangement. A basic first aid kit is located in the Lady Chapel sacristy. The site affords panoramic views over Teesside, Bilsdale and, on a clear day, as far as the Pennine hills.