The Society of Professional Engineers
(Established 1969)
For the Promotion of the Qualification and Status of the Professional Engineer Worldwide
A Visit To Ladyewell The Lancashire Shrine To Our Lady And The Martyrs With Historical Facts
Ladyewell is situated to the east of Preston at map ref:-sheet 102/556e.337n on the east side of the M6 motorway. The setting is a leafy glade locally known as Fernyhalgh in the district of Haighton.
The early documentation to Ladyewell appears in the archives of York Diocese showing a licence was granted in 1348 Thomas son of Gilbert de Singleton to have divine service conducted by a “fit and proper “ chaplain within his manors of Broughton,Fernyhalgh and Farmunholes.
The Reverend Christopher Tuttell then incumbent of Ladyewell [1699-1727] wrote of a legend that a local merchant saved from shipwreck erected a chapel at the well site in thanksgiving for his deliverance. The legend is that the merchant , Fergus Maguire, was directed to Fernyhalgh in a dream. He was informed that by a crab apple tree bearing fruit without a core he would find a spring of clear water. Eventually he found the site,nearby was a statue of Our Blessed Lady. So he erected the chapel placing the statue within. It became known as Our Ladye’s Well.
Various specialist historians have declared that a shrine existed on the site long before the erection of the chapel.
The 1547 AD. Act against chantries led to the demolition of the old chapel and confiscation of furnishings and revenues.
In 1685 George Leybourne of Nateby, Nicholas Wadsworth of Haighton, Cuthbert Hesketh of White Hill and Robert Shepherd of Broughton were granted a lease of a thousand years for a new chapel building. This was designed to be unobtrusive and blend in with the local larger houses. The ground floor was for the priest residence and the larger upper floor was the chapel. Total cost of the build,finished 1686 ,was £225-7-2½p. and by September 1687 Bishop Leybourne had confirmed within 1099 people .
Once again when catholics were persecuted after James II’s. demise and the crowning of William of Orange and the Jacobite rebellions caused concern for the Lancashire faithful. Father Tuttell had to leave the house/chapel in 1700,1714 and 1718. Eventually he and his nephew Fr.Edward Melling returned to Ladyewell. Various incumbents succeeded them then in 1773 a local man Fr. Anthony Lund arrived,he had been a professor at Douay.
He was wealthy and was determined to build and endow a larger church. Unable to buy extra land around the existing site he secured 6½ acres a quarter of a mile to the west [rosary walk]. In 1774 St. Mary’s was in build to serve the well and its pilgrims.
During the period 1811-1823 when Rev.Robert Blacoe was in charge of the old [1686] mission chapel various attempts were made to sieze the site but happily all were defeated. For many years [1901-1980] Ladyewell House,as it is now known, was in the care of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus order.
In recent years, 1984-2004 ,Canon Benedict Ruscillo and Catherine Stirzacker acting as custodians developed the shrine ,making many improvements for the visiting pilgrims .They also brought the Burgess Altar and established The Reliquary housing memorabilia of the English Martyrs many of whom were despatched and buried on the site.
To-day Ladywell continues as the place of welcome and prayer for pilgrims and I thoroughly recommend a visit to experience tranquillity.
Brian Gerrard, BSc.,PEng., MIET.© Acknowledgements:-
- An old Lancashire Mission. Rev.Daniel O’Hare[1892]
- Catholic Record Society Vol XXX1[1932].
- Mrs Ann Gladwin [ site administrator].