Monument record 1160/28/1 - Site of St. Katherine's Chapel

The chapel is first mentioned in 1471, but by 1641 it was ordered that the stones of the decayed chapel be used to repair breaches of the town walls. The site of the chapel and cemetery were subsequently used as a cherry orchard.

{2} Notes from Wetton:"….in the space between College Street meeting house and Horsemarket …. Was the site of St Katherine's Chapel….….in the cemetery of which were usually buried those who died of the plague when it infected the town….In later years it became a cemetery for the parish of All Saints...in Bridge's time 100 years since it was a Cherry Ground and not then used as a place of sepulture".

{4} Chapel of St Katherine by Blackfriars; Dame Elizabeth Saxby 1503 buried in churchyard; William Hawredd in 1526.

{5}Site of Chapel of St. Katherine, lies on the N. side of St. Katherine's Street on Northampton Sands at 71 m. to 74 m. above OD. St. Katherine's chapel in the 'new cemetery' is first recorded in 1471 (Serjeantson and Longden 1913, 161) but the new cemetery itself is mentioned in 1274 (Rot Hund 2, 2) and 'vico novi cimiterii' in 1205–20 (BL Royal II B IX f. 150a). In 1641 it was ordered that the stones of St. Katherine's decayed chapel be taken down and used to repair breaches of the town walls (Brown 1915–16, 98) and by Bridges' time the chapel was demolished and the cemetery was a cherry orchard (Bridges 1791 I, 451; NDC M34).

{6} Mentions St Catharine's in College Lane; "….taken into king's hands and granted out again to F.Samwell with the chapel of St Katharine in 1549 …. In response to this an inquiry was held which vindicated the claims of the corporation and they were allowed to …. Keep the hospital as well as the chapel of St Katharine to serve as a chapel of ease for the sick….".

{7} Gild of St Catherine; to fraternity of St Catherine in chapel of the new cemetery "juxta collegium" 1471.

{10} The chapel of ease to All Saints was demolished in 1631.

{13}"Vico novi cimiterii".

{14} New cemetery mentioned in 1274.

{15} Records chapel as demolished and cemetery being used as a Cherry Orchard.

{16} St Katherines is shown with main entrance fronting St Katherines Street.

{17} Between College Street and Horsemarket was St Katherine's Chapel.

<1> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.38-39 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

<2> Williams J.H.; Shaw M.; Hardy S., 1978-1984, Northampton Development Corporation SMR Secondary Record Sheets, M34 (checked) (Catalogue). SNN108.

<3> BROWN G.B., 1915, The Arts In Early England (Vol.3), p.93 (unchecked) (Series). SNN2968.

<4> SERJEANTSON R.M.; LONGDEN ISHAM H., 1915, Journal of Northants Natural History Society and Field Club, p98 (Journal). SNN211.

<5> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1985, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.380 (checked) (Series). SNN77383.

<6> The Victoria History of the Counties of England: Northamptonshire, p.55 (unchecked) (Series). SNN10247.

<7> Serjeantson R.M.; Longden Isham H., 1913, The Parish Churches & Religious Houses of Northamptonshire: Their Dedications, Altars etc., p.161 (part checked) (Extract). SNN1080.

<8> 1931, The Chronicle and Echo, 2/6 & 3/6 (Article). SNN56759.

<9> 1931, Journal of Northants Natural History Society and Field Club, 39 (Journal). SNN56758.

<10> Cox Rev.J.C., 1898, Records of The Borough of Northampton, p.421 (unchecked) (Book). SNN3420.

<11> Townend S., 2006, An Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment of St. Katherine's Street, Northampton, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105653.

<13> 1220, BL ROYAL, 150 (Uncertain). SNN2970.

<14> 1274, HUNDRED ROLLS, 2 (Document). SNN2969.

<15> Bridges J., 1791, The History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, p.451 (unchecked) (Book). SNN77325.

<16> Speed J., 1610, Map of Northamptonshire, (checked) (Map). SNN559.

<17> Wetton, 1849, Guidebook to Northampton and its Vicinity, p.38-39 (unchecked) (Book). SNN1032.

Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 4:39PM