Barras Bridge, Chapel of St. James

Barras Bridge, Chapel of St. James

HER Number
297
District
Newcastle
Site Name
Barras Bridge, Chapel of St. James
Place
Newcastle
Map Sheet
NZ26NW
Class
Religious Ritual and Funerary
Site Type: Broad
Place of Worship
Site Type: Specific
Chapel
General Period
POST MEDIEVAL
Specific Period
Tudor 1485 to 1603
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Description
The earliest certain reference to the chapel is from 1542, but there is a possible earlier reference to "...the Water-Mill beside St.James' kirk". The chapel is located by 18th century historians on the north side of Barras Bridge. Brand describes it as folows: "The western end of this chapel has been converted into a cowhouse: in the east end is at present a dwelling-house, the fireplace of which stands on the site of the communion table. Old arches built up with brick are still observable, and the eastern window may still be traced out from the stairs of an adjoining house. The whole building is called at present "The Sick-Man's House". It was largely demolished and rebuilt in 1797-1800, after which it came to be called St. James Place, and was finally cleared away when the Hancock Museum was built in 1878.
Easting
424900
Northing
565100
Grid Reference
NZ424900565100
Sources
<< HER 297 >> Mary Magdalene, MSS, 1732, MM Q/1/52 (Long Box 62) - Tyne and Wear Archive Service
H. Bourne, 1736, History of Newcastle, p. 152
J. Brand, 1789, History of Newcastle, Vol. I, pp. 196-7, 431
E. Mackenzie, 1827, History of Newcastle, pp. 148-9
R.J. Charleton, (date unknown), History of Newcastle, pp. 366-8