Lady Chapel
An established and intimate experience and dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a lady chapel is a small chapel in Catholic churches specifically in homage to Mary the Mother of God. In the lives of Catholics, Mary is a center focus that it of primary importance, thus a specific area dedicated to her is needed. It is of such an importance that within the lady chapel a statue of Mary stands on her own altar, often adorned with vibrant plants and overhung by stained glass windows. These windows are often other female saints or depictions of religious events that draw connection both to Mary and to the parishioners. There are small and few pews within these chapels for the parishioners whom choose who to spend time to prayer to this pillar saint of their faith.
Categorized as a transitional type of architecture, the architecture of lady chapels falls within a time of Romanesque and Gothic types¹. Among the most famous lady chapels in terms of its design is that of the early 16th century British chapel. This specific chapel is culturally bound, residing in Westminster Abbey and opening towards the House of Parliament². This placement indicates the importance of the reverence to Mary as well as a government that binds together the Church and the State. Leading up to the Protestant Reformation, which is arguably the pivotal historical time for the Church, this was the most grandiose chapel of its kind built. Designed by architect John Leland², the chapel is different than other parishes that may extend dedication to the Virgin Mary. It is a chapel for Catholics to be of the presence of Mary herself. Archetypal orientation on the East ends of churches, it is a separate room of the Church from the main Narthex and from the main processional area that mass is held in³. Following the existence of these chapels, the phenomenon of “Lady mass” ³began to spread throughout Church practices, focusing on the specific importance that Mary has alongside the message and presence of her son Jesus Christ. |
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Original sketch by Alexandria Szabo of a lady chapel in San Antonio, TX
Eyre, Basher. Lady Chapel at Guildford Cathedral, UK. Guildford.
¹Tatton-Brown, T. W. T., and Richard Mortimer. Westminster Abbey: The Lady Chapel of Henry VII. Rochester NY: Boydell Press, 2004.
²Tattoon-Brown, Tim. "How Lady Chapels Gave Birth to Cathedral Choirs." Church Times. April 26, 2016. Accessed October 14, 2018. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/29-april/features/features/how-lady-chapels-gave-birth-to-cathedral-choirs.
³Thurlby, Malcolm. "The Lady Chapel of Glastonbury Abbey." The Antiquaries Journal75 (1995): 107-70. doi:10.1017/s0003581500072991.
²Tattoon-Brown, Tim. "How Lady Chapels Gave Birth to Cathedral Choirs." Church Times. April 26, 2016. Accessed October 14, 2018. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/29-april/features/features/how-lady-chapels-gave-birth-to-cathedral-choirs.
³Thurlby, Malcolm. "The Lady Chapel of Glastonbury Abbey." The Antiquaries Journal75 (1995): 107-70. doi:10.1017/s0003581500072991.