Poulton Chapel

Poulton Chapel is a ruined mediaeval chapel in the hamlet of Poulton, Cheshire, England (grid reference SJ404584), close to the modern border with Wales.

The earliest ecclesiastical structure on the site is thought to have been a single-cell structure built in the Saxon period, as evidenced by some 170 pieces of Anglo Saxon pottery, specifically 10th century Chester Ware, that have been found in conjunction with the earliest phase of construction.

The later chapel is thought to have been built by the Cistercian monks of Poulton Abbey. According to Janauschek, the abbey itself was founded between 1153 and 1158, but moved to Dieulacres between 1199 and 1214. However, foundation must have occurred by 1153 at the latest as Ranulf de Gernon died in 1153. The exact location of the abbey has yet to be established as no above ground structure remains.

Poulton Abbey was one of three daughter houses (along with Stanlow and Hulton) of Combermere Abbey; founded in 1133 by Hugh Malbank. Abbot William of Combermere founded Poulton Abbey with an endowment of land from Robert Pincerna Le Botiller (1100–1158). Ranulf de Gernon (1099–1153), Earl of Chester and Pincerna's overlord was a prisoner of King Stephen at the time and Pincerna wished prayers to be said for the Earl and his family. On his release the Earl confirmed the foundation and granted the monks a fishery in the River Dee and an exemption for them to grind their corn at his mill in Chester. Numerous other gifts were bestowed on the abbey.

The chapel building appears to have been contemporary with the foundation of the Abbey (c.1153) and comprised a single nave from the earliest phase of building.

After the abbey was moved to Dieulacres by Randle Blundeville, the site remained a grange, or farm estate of the abbey. The chapel appears to have been maintained for the use of the lay brothers who farmed the estate.

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