Spital Chapel Of St James

TAMWORTH

SK20NW ASHBY ROAD, Perrycrofts 670-1/2/37 (North side) 11/05/50 Spital Chapel of St. James

II*

Former chantry chapel; converted to barn at Reformation; dedicated for worship 1914. Mid to late C12 possibly on earlier foundations with C13 rebuilding and extensive restoration, 1909-14. Stone rubble and coursed squared stone with ashlar dressings; tile roofs. Small chancel and nave. Chancel has coped gable with kneelers, east window of round-headed lights with renewed mullions. Nave has round-headed north entrance with plain reveals and plank door, signs of blocked C12 entrance to left; early C13 pointed-arched south entrance, possibly ex situ or reconstructed, moulded arch of one order, shafts missing but shaft rings remain, and inner keeled rool moulding, plank door; window to right of 2 pointed lights has recess below, possibly blocked entrance; west wall rebuilt 1914, with 2 lancets. INTERIOR: C16/early C17 tie beam and arch-braced collar roofs with double purlins and some renewed members, ashlaring to chancel; round chancel arch with impost bands; chancel east wall has plaque recording restoration. C20 altar table with cusped arched panels, altar rail on timber posts. Records exist of a chantry or hospital founded by Sir Philip Marmion between 1266 and 1275; the building is believed to have served as a hospital at the time of the Black Death, 1349. (Buildings of England: Pevsner N: Staffordshire: London: 1974-: P.277; Victoria County History: Staffordshire: Oxford: 1970-: P.294-6; Trans. of S. Staffs Archaeological and Historical Society: 2nd Report on Excavations at Tamworth Staffs 1968, Spital Chapel: 1968-1969; Wood H: Borough By Prescription: Tamworth: 1958-: P.86-7).

Listing NGR: SK2087905023