St Mary Magdalene Chapel, Stourbridge was built in the 12th century to accompany a hospital for people affected by leprosy. Later in the 14th century the monastery of Ely contributed to repairs and alterations.
‘Leper chapels’ were chapels built at ‘leper hospitals’. These hospitals were isolated communities or hospitals for the treatment of people affected by leprosy, and were often run by religious houses. At least 320 religious ‘leper hospitals’ were established in England between the 11th century and 1350. 'Leper chapels' allowed people affected by leprosy to take part in religious services without risk of infecting other people.
Many of the hospital buildings were destroyed during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 1530s; others fell into disuse or were put to new uses. Modern treatments developed in the 20th century reduced the need to isolate people affected by leprosy.
Sources: Historic England, ‘The Time of Leprosy: 11th Century to 14th Century’, Historic England website, accessed 07/01/2025.
Wikipedia, ‘Leper colony’, Wikipedia website, accessed 07/01/2025.
World Health Organization, ‘Leprosy (Hansen disease)’, World Health Organization website, accessed 07/01/2025.
This is part of the Sub-Series: RCH01/163/02 Rchme Inventory Of The City Of Cambridge: Small Format Negatives; within the Series: RCH01/163 Rchme Inventory Of The City Of Cambridge; within the Sub-Collection: RCH01/01 Rchme Inventory Volumes; within the Collection: RCH01 Royal Commission On The Historical Monuments Of England (Rchme) Archive
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Medieval Chapel