Welcome to Padley Chapel

A Turbulent History

The story of Padley is written in its stones. An altar stone hidden for three and a half centuries, the hearth stones, steps and foundations of a fine medieval manor – these are the building blocks of Padley's tale. Together they rise into a tragic story of persecution, betrayal, martyrdom and the fall of a wealthy recusant family and of Padley's rebirth as a centre of worship and pilgrimage.

Conservation Management Plan

archeritage report front In mid 2010, The Diocese appointed archaeological consultants ArcHeritage, part of the York Archaeological Trust, to carry out site surveying, recording and a condition assessment at Padley Hall and Martyrs’ Chapel. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the Chapel itself is a Grade 1 listed building. Padley Hall was excavated in the 1930’s and its partially consolidated remains have been suffering from accelerating decay and damage caused by a number of factors. The on-site work and subsequent analysis has been supplemented by archival research and interpretation.

The site work and off-site reseach and analysis has now been presented to the Diocese in the form of a subsantial report and Conservation Management Plan. This plan will help guide the Diocese in the care, conservation and interpretation of this nationally significant site, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. English Heritage has been very closely involved with this investigation and its award of £27,000 of grant funding to the Diocese to assist with the costs involved has proved to be crucial. All the investigative works that were carried out have been approved by English Heritage.

Part 1 of the report can be accessed here or use the link on the side menu.

Further information about the report is available from Tom Garrud at the Property Department on 0114 256 6420 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Holy Father's Visit Has Given Us Fresh Courage
"The four days of the Papal Visit brought the Catholic Church in England and Wales to a different and new place, emphasising and enhancing the opportunity we have to live and proclaim our faith in public," said Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham during his homily at a special Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin (8 December).
Papal Visit DVD Released
Celebrating Pope Benedict XVI’s historic first State Visit to the UK, the DVD tells the story of the four extraordinary days in September offering not just event highlights, but the Holy Father’s profound words and the true significance of all the components of the Visit.
A Call to Freedom
The UK media has repeatedly stated that Pope Benedict’s visit to Spain has touched on familiar themes. Yet, as usual, it has been left to the Catholic press to identify the central point of his message: freedom. Whilst the secular reports quote the Pope as calling Europe to return to its Christian roots, they frequently omit the reason for such a challenge: freedom.

50th anniversary celebrations: a day to remember
On Saturday 28 January, over 2,000 CAFOD supporters from around the UK came together to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.
CAFOD open house: Saturday 28 January
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, CAFOD will be hosting an Open House on Saturday 28 January. We are opening the doors to CAFOD’s central London office, Romero House, to supporters and the public between 10:30am and 1:00pm.

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