Heath Chapel

Heath Chapel stands alone in a Shropshire field, a small Norman chapel built in the 12th century. It belongs to the Diocese of Hereford and is served by the Ludlow Team Ministry. The building remains almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, with its original size, style and use intact. English Heritage recognises it as a Grade I listed building of national importance. Experts call it a fine example of a modest but richly detailed Norman chapel. The chapel’s interior reveals layers of history. A 17th-century plaster ceiling once hid medieval wall paintings, some of which were uncovered in 1912. The chancel arch, font and box pews date from the 12th and 17th centuries. Traces of painted figures survive, including Saint George on the south wall and the Last Judgement above the arch. A two-decker pulpit and turned balusters on the communion rail show later craftsmanship. Outside, the chapel is built of grey siltstone with yellow sandstone dressings. Small windows and full-height buttresses give it a sturdy, unadorned look. The plain south doorway is decorated with chevrons, while a string course runs around the walls at mid-height. Inside, the nave and chancel form a simple rectangle, quiet and unaltered by modern changes.