Chapel of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene

The Chapel of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene is a medieval building, dating from shortly after the hospital's foundation by Archbishop Thurstan in the early 12th century. The south doorway is also 12th century, while the main body of the chapel was largely rebuilt in the 15th century. It is constructed of hammer-dressed limestone, with a low-pitched roof, parapets, a finial on the east gable, and a bellcote on the west gable. A small side window is visible on the south side, and a four-light Perpendicular window illuminates the east end.

Inside, the chapel contains exceptionally well-preserved furnishings. These include a 15th-century screen, a medieval stone altar, a medieval tessellated pavement, and a 17th-century communion rail with turned balusters.

The hospital, which is slightly younger than the hospital of St John, is the only surviving fragment of Ripon’s medieval hospitals from its foundation. Originally staffed by sisters and a priest, its purpose was to provide food and shelter for those affected by leprosy, to support blind priests born in Ripon, and to give alms to the poor. Subsequent archbishops added brothers and a master, who was later required to be a resident prebendary of the college. The master was notably held by Marmaduke Bradley, the last Abbot of Fountains. The hospital was reorganised as an almshouse in 1544-45, and the mastership was later annexed to the new college foundation and eventually amalgamated with that of St John's in the office of Dean of Ripon. Reorganisation of the hospitals' estates in 1864, following a Charity Commissioners' Report in 1820, led to subsequent rebuilding of the premises. Historical records, including the Valor Ecclesiasticus of 1535, mention a “mansion house,” garden and orchard belonging to the master, and the Charity Commissioners’ report of 1820 describes apartments for six sisters and a chapel across the street.