CRADLEY, a chapelry in that part of the parish
of HALESOWEN which is in the lower division of the
hundred of HALFSHIRE, county of WORCESTER, 2 miles
(N.W.byN.) from Hales-Owen, containing 1696 inhabitants.
The living is a perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry
and diocese of Worcester, endowed with £400
private benefaction, and £1400- parliamentary grant,
and in the patronage of Lord Calthorpe, the Rev. Mr.
Gisborne, and W. Wilberforce, Esq. The chapel, a
modern structure, pleasantly situated on the brow of a
hill, commanding an agreeable prospect, has lately received
an addition of two hundred free sittings, the Incorporated
Society for the enlargement of churches and
chapels having granted £75 towards defraying the expense.
There are places of worship for Baptists, Wesleyan
Methodists, and Unitarians. A National school for
boys and girls is supported by charitable contributions.
The river Stour runs on the north and north-western
sides of the chapelry, and separates it from Staffordshire.
A mine of coal has been worked upon its banks,
but is now discontinued. Beautifully situated -in.a
woody spot, amid pleasing walks, and on the banks of
a large pool, or artificial lake, is Cradley Spa, where
warm and cold baths have been erected: the water is
impregnated with sulphate of soda, magnesia, &c., and
is greatly used by invalids during the summer: an at-,
tempt was formerly made to manufacture salt here. In
a large wood, called Cradley Park, are vestiges of the
moat of an ancient building. The chapelry is hilly,
and the vicinity abounds with pleasing and picturesque
scenery.