A SERVICE is to be held at the historic grounds of the Windleshaw Chantry for the first time in more than eight years.
The previous Mass at the site was held on June 21, 2015, to commemorate the chantry's 600th anniversary, with a congregation of more than 60 in attendance.
This was after historian Ted Forsyth, whose thorough research into the ‘abbey’, had made the discovery about the building's origins.
He came across a copy of a letter, dated June 21 1415 to Thomas Gerard Knight, Lord of Windle Manor in St Helens Central Library Archives.
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It read: "I John Catrick, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield give licence to my dear son in Christ, Thomas Gerard Knight and his wife Margaret for mass and divine office to be celebrated in their chantry chapel within their manor of Windle."
The discovery confirmed that the chantry had been built 20 years before it was previously believed and that June of that year (2015) would mark its 600th anniversary.
The grounds’ historical significance includes tomb of Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Francois Graux de la Bruyere, who is responsible for bringing glass making to the town and was the first manager of Ravenhead glassworks.
Now it is hoped that services can become a more regular thing at the historic grounds.
When will the service be?
The Mass is to be held on Saturday, September 9, at 2pm to coincide with Heritage Weekend, and will be celebrated by St Thomas of Canterbury parish priest Father Michael Harwood.
“It will be the first one we have had there for eight years, and I believe it is going to become at least yearly,” said Ted, from Haresfinch.
“It needs to be recognised for what it is. The chantry is 608 years old, and the last Mass was eight years ago and the last ‘proper’ Mass in the chantry itself was in the 1500s.”
Ted and a volunteer group have worked tirelessly got together to make the area more friendly for visitors and to commemorate its rich history. They have made numerous historical discoveries at the site over the years.
Ted added: “We need more volunteers, and also anyone with strimmers, please get in touch with us on the Windleshaw Chantry Facebook page.”
Ted will also be hosting a talk and tour of the Chantry grounds on Sunday, September 10 and September 17, starting at 11am.
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