Sheringham Catholics invite all to look round

St Joseph's Catholic Church, Sheringham's only listed building, will be open for anyone to visit and look round later this month as part of the national heritage open days scheme.

St Joseph’s church was first built in 1908 as a small chapel. In 1909 an anonymous donation of £3000 enabled the purchase of the land around the chapel and the construction of a much larger building which incorporated the Chapel. Catherine Deterding of Kelling Hall was the identity of the anonymous benefactor, and this was made known after her death in 1916.
 
The architect commissioned for St Joseph’s was Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, one of the greatest architects of the day. The church was built in two stages, the northern two thirds opened by the bishop of Northampton in 1910, and the southern section completed in 1936.
 
The heritageopendays.org.uk website explains more:
 
“The church building is a prominent structure in Sheringham. Its red brick exterior opens up to a fusion of the medieval and modern, with artistic homages to other Norfolk churches in the St Joseph's seven sacrament font and elaborately painted reredos. The Lady Chapel is home to a Gill-esque altar. A suspended Rood and large Stations of the Cross by Stuflesser are of particular interest.”
 
St Josephs is at the heart of the Catholic community in Sheringham, and will be open for tours, information and prayer, at the open day on Saturday 20 September from 10.30am to 4.30pm. On-site guides will be available for information and questions.
 
The church is at 58 Cromer Road, Sheringham, Norfolk, NR26 8RT.
 
Visit: ourladyandstjoseph.info

The image is courtesy of Valsler.

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