Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Glastonbury

The hospital was built before 1322, as almshouses for ten men, with a chapel. Parts of the original chapel still survive. This was once attached to a hall which was demolished after the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The rest of the buildings are late medieval,[1] believed to have been built in 1444.[3]

A previous hospital supported by Glastonbury Abbey moved to the current site around 1250 and in 1460 dedicated to Mary Magdalene the patron saint of lepers.[4][5] In the 16th century it was considered a chantry and financial support for the brethren and priest being given by the abbey until the dissolution. After this funding was provided by the crown and county treasurer of hospitals.[4]

The hall roof was removed and the cubicles on each side converted into individual dwellings, or cells, leading to the chapel.[2] In the early 17th century the almshouses were described as "ruinous" and by 1703 the chapel had lost its roof.[4]

In the 19th century conversion and updating reduced the number of dwellings and provided a communal wash house.[2] The south side of the parallel rows was demolished in the 1960s and a communal garden and flats for the elderly built on the site.[6][4][7] One of the almshouses has been restored and is open to the public.[5]

The stone chapel is a single room. The original lancet window has been blocked up. On the roof is a small bellcote which is more recent than the walls of the building.[2] It has space for two bells one of which still exists.[7] The cells are of two storeys and have slate roofs.[1]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Almshouses and Chapel of St Mary Magdalene's Hospital.

• St Margaret's Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almshouses