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no data Internal Links: External Links:Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh submitted by jamesrattue
Holy Well or Sacred Spring in Lancashire. Ladyewell is a very active Roman Catholic shrine on the northeast of Preston, consisting of a 17th-century house with an upstairs chapel and a rather bizarre collection of relics, a retreat complex, and the old Holy Well in the grounds.
Ladyewell House was constructed in 1685 to serve as a mass centre for local RCs, but the origins of the site's sanctity are very obscure. There was certainly a chapel here in the middle of the 14th century, but it could have been older. According to the Ladyewell guide book the name 'Fernyhalgh' means 'ancient shrine', but as the Anglo-Saxon for shrine is 'hearw' or 'heorh' I doubt it. In fact, nobody is even sure how to pronounce it. Ferny-hall is sometimes mentioned; most guides insist on Ferny-huff; while a local swore to me it should be Ferny-holsh. An undated legend tells of an Irish merchant swearing to build a chapel in thanks for surviving a storm at sea, and being directed here by a dream.
The well was a pool of water retained within its present walls until in 1905 the nuns occupying the house paved it, constructed steps down to the new well-head, and added a statue. This was replaced by the current one in 1935, and in 1954 the wooden arch the Sisters had built over the well was changed for stone. Within the last few years the tiles and retaining cage under the statue have been added.
I rather like Fernyhalgh, but then I am a clergyman (interestingly the lady in the shop asked whether I was a priest and when I answered that I was, and added rather apologetically that I was an Anglican, she said, 'Yes, I thought so'!). Whether you will depends on how you react to such Popish paraphernalia!
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Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh submitted by Just3Days The setting of the well. Leafy, verdant, and very dark with the persistent heavy rain this afternoon.
Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh submitted by Just3Days Viewing the well from inside the adjacent chapel. Wonderfully peaceful, and a very content, sleeping cat upon a chair too.
Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh submitted by Just3Days The upper outlet of well water for collecting in bottles, or crossing, as I saw several people do in my time here.
Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh submitted by Just3Days A pilgrimage to Ladyewell - a complete coincidence with my visit there this afternoon - having been to Dr Who Museum in Blackpool. Leaving the well, it was a surprise to be greeted by a large number of pilgrims, some barefoot.
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Re: Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh (Score: 0) by Anonymous on Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Dear Rev Rattue
We are glad you liked Fernyhalgh, the correct pronunciation is Fernyhuff and yes you are quite right it does not mean
ancient shrine , recent research has shown that it has its origins in Old English and means Ferny Meadows.
A more comprehensive history is in the process of being compiled and perhaps that may answer some of your queries.
We welcome everyone to Fernyhalgh and perhaps you will make yourself known to us next time you visit. One of the biggest pilgrimages to Ladyewell is the Anglican Forward in Faith group. Rgarding your query re the orgins of the "sanctity of the site" it was a chantry chapel and I am sure you will agree that wherever the Faithful gather for prayer
especially ecumenical there is a growth in the sanctity of any
area. Ann Gladwin B.A. (HONS) M.A. Shrine Administrator.
Re: Our Lady's Well, Fernyhalgh (Score: 0) by Anonymous on Wednesday, 09 April 2008
I visited Fernyhalgh one summer's evening in the 1990's. There was Sacred Dancing on the lawn, and I joined in. There were white doves living there, and I remember a dance called White Bird in which we made the shape of the Cross with our feet, while holding hands in a large circle, and the music was so beautiful and peaceful. After this we walked round the garden visiting the well and the Stations of the Cross. We had refreshments in the house and the Priest was telling us some very gory details about the martyrs. It was a very inspirational place and I have yet to return there.
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