Arch From Former St Marys Benedictine Nunnery (Nunnery Demolished)

The arch from the former St Mary's Benedictine Nunnery, which has since been demolished, is located in Grosvenor Park, Chester. This structure, possibly dating from the 13th century, is made of coursed red sandstone that shows signs of erosion. The re-erected stonework features a pointed archway with five visible courses beneath the capitals of former shafts. The outer side has jambs and voussoirs that are twice rebated, with three rings of voussoirs; the second ring displays eroded mouldings, while the inner side lacks rebates. Each wing wall beside the archway has a pointed-arched niche on both faces, which are simply detailed. After the nunnery's demolition, the archway and wing walls were moved and re-erected twice, which may have involved alterations or rearrangements.