Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting Walsingham - 'England's Nazareth' and principal Marian shrine. Among other things, I wanted to visit the newly erected Catholic Church of the Annunciation. Until a few years ago, the Catholic community were served by a lacklustre hut of a church; now they have (in the pp's own words) a modern church that "has the "noble simplicity" that was envisaged and that it blends in well with the Norfolk surroundings".
Hmm! From the outside, it doesn't look too bad - it's amazing what quality building materials can do - but what an anti-climax inside. The parishioners that I met seemed very proud of their new modern temple and so I decided to keep my council. It appears, however, that their pride does not extend to pictures on the web. The only images that I can find are here and do not show the bizarre 'worship area', altar or font. It reminded me of a modern lecture room in a university extension. On a positive note, the church complex does appear to be environmentally friendly, having solar panels on the roof (broken on my visit).
An amusing observation: the consecration sconces, when ablaze with candles, burn and smoulder the overhanging ‘frieze’/beam-thing that runs around the inside, evidenced by the black streaks on the walls – a non-Catholic architect, perhaps? This reminds me also of the old Ecclesiastical Insurance sign that used to hand in many sacristies and was often adorned with smoulder marks - “The Destruction of Churches by Fire”. I always thought this was a Protestant conspiracy to rid altars of their candles and that the signs came ready printed with the soot!
As I can’t find a worthy picture of Walsingham’s new church to prove my point, here are some gratuitous pictures of ‘proper’ churches.
10 comments:
I am off to Walsingham this weekend - first time there - so this info is helpful. Thanks.
The Slipper Chapel (RC Shrine) is lovely and if you like barn conversions, then you'll feel at home in the Chapel of Reconcilliation. However, don't forget to check out the medieval (now Anglican) parish church of S Mary, which is in the village and also the Anglican shrine, which is rather like a well-stocked sweet shop for anyone with a traditional sweet tooth. It is very OTT, in a nice sort of way.
Thanks for the architectural tips… I’ll bear them in mind. There appear to be quite a few lovely Catholic churches in East Anglia, and am looking forward to visiting a couple, esp. as the weather looks to be rainy this w'end. Two in particular: St Mary's Deepdale with Saxon tower (pre-1066), and Our Lady Star of the Sea, Wells-next-the sea. The latter is still Catholic. Visiting churches is a fulfilling past-time; I have done it much in Europe (often with (my late) pooch in bag), but haven’t done it much in England. I suppose we don't really think of it as a Catholic country, but then I remind myself that the long view is that this has been a Catholic country longer than a Protestant one (pre-Reformation). My local church in London is Brompton Oratory, with dark, quiet, serene side chapels. Just like a Roman Basilica. It’s especially lovely when it is Tridentine low Mass in a side chapel.
A 'Must NOT Miss' is Wymondham Abbey— dedicated to Our Lady, (S Alban) & S Thomas of Canterbury. It is fab!! The reredos and shrine to our Lady, both by Sir Ninian Comper, are magnificent. It will make a fine Catholic church, one day! I don't know Deepdale, but from what I found on their website, it looks well worth a visit. Another church worth visiting (and not far from Walsingham) is S Mary, South Creake, http://www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/southcreake/southcreake.htm.
When I was a bright-eyed youth, I adored church-crawling and being a native of the Cotswolds, I was rarely disappointed. All Saints, North Cerney, is an example: http://www.rootsweb.com/~engcots/NorthCerneyPhotos01.html
I do feel for you being without your "pooch". Many of my past exploits were undertaken in the company of my last German Shepherd, Kim. It was ten years before I could bring myself to have another and as she is now thirteen, I have to be prepared for her demise. I am thankful that I named her after a saint— she must enjoy the saint's protection!
It will come as no surprise that I know the Oratory well, albeit as an ad hoc visitor. You are fortunate to be a parishioner there: Solemn High Mass at the Oratory, followed by Lasagne and 'fellowship' at Holy Trinity, Brompton, haha!
….. adding these suggestions to my list …. all very good since it will keep me out of the rain. I don't really know any Catholic Churches in the Cotswolds, though I know the area quite well, hailing from Oxford originally. Most recently my parents lived in West Oxfordshire. Yes, I am lucky with the Oratory, I go principally for Tridentine Mass (and great sermons), and after Mass cappuccino at one of the Continental-style coffee shops; the old rite I have been to most of my life …and I am not pre-Vatican II age-wise! You are very brave to become a Catholic with your family remaining Anglican, but then you have Cardinal Newman as an exemplary role model, and if one thirsts for the Truth, there’s no stopping the path to Catholicism. Converts are usually stronger in faith than cradle Catholics (my mum was a convert). Have you read Roy Schoeman's works? He Jewish, became Catholic, and writes about his conversion as well as the conversion of other Jews such as Alphonse Ratisbonne, and the Chief Rabbi of Rome Israel Zolli who became Catholic in 1945… really interesting. I love reading these stories. As Catholics we are completed - or fulfilled - Jews.
If you want to visit some lovely RC churches in the Cotswolds, try S Gregory's in Cheltenham (http://www.stgregorys.org.uk/). It was designed in the 'Early Decorated' style by Charles Hansom, who was responsible for the Hansom Cab. Another beauty is S Peter's in Gloucester (http://freespace.virgin.net/fitzpatrick.m/). Due to academic interests, I'm linked to Pusey House (Anglican) in Oxford; this too, is worth a visit when in the city (http://www.parishes.oxford.anglican.org/puseyhouse/).
Becoming a Catholic was not a problem for my family. Being 'High' Anglican, they were sympathetic to Rome and so any problems were cultural, rather that theological. It was ironic, that after converting, I was attending masses with hippies strumming guitars, while my Anglican family were worshipping at Tridentine-esque High Masses in the Anglican Church. Talk about the world being on its head! Still, thanks to the new motu proprio, things WILL change!! Hurrah!
And re the canum Q, yes, Freddles's demise was 2 yrs ago and only in the last few weeks have I been able to consider another dog. Have started speaking to breeders. I went to a "Discover Dogs " show in London some months back to see if I could be open to getting another breed - there were about 300 + breeds there (everyone was in such a good mood with all those dogs around!), and while I love dogs of all types, I'm still set on a little white Maltese pooch... well, at least I won't have to buy bigger handbags for a larger hound!
It is difficult for some folks to realise how attached we dog-lovers are to our companions. If I have one problem with the Church, it is its attitude to what happens to animals after they pass away. Talk to a hard liner and they'll tell you that they have no soul and therefore perish... can't be right, surely?! Normally, I prefer S Benedict in all things, but on this one, I'm with S Francis.
I hope you find a perfect friend (for the perfect handbag) remember Lady Bracknell and ensure that it is sufficiently capacious!
Pusey House!! Yes, I know it – St Giles - near Blackfriars? I should visit it again. As children my Catholic grandparents dragged us around "Catholic Oxford" and the non-Catholic ones (who retired to Binstead) around Pitt Rivers (loved the shrunken heads), Ashmolean, etc.
I have that issue too with Roman Catholicism too – the only one really - I can't believe animals just go into nothing... a Catholic priest once told me that there was something about animals and beatitudes - I'll have to research it or ask him again as I forget, but I really do struggle with it. I'm with St Francis on this too. I love animals so much I won't eat them (or penguins!), being a veggie. Who is/was Lady Bracknell?
You've got it! Pusey is a great centre of learning; it's amazing some of the great minds that you can meet there.
Lady Bracknell was a character in Oscar Wilde's play, 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. Her famouse quote is "...a... handbag...!" See http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/earnest/terms/char_5.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Importance_of_Being_Earnest#Film_versions for further info. I saw Patricia Routedge at Chichester a few years ago - se was brilliant! However, can anyone beat Dame Edith Evans' 1952 performance? Judi Dench was good in the 1992 film, but I still think of Dame Edith chastising poor old Margaret Rutherford's 'Miss Prism'.
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