Julian Shrine in Norwich launches £400k appeal 

The Julian Shrine in Norwich city centre has launched an ambitious £400k fundraising campaign as part of its plan to secure the long-term sustainability of the historic site, as phase one gains planning approval.

Significant structural work is required at St Julian’s Church to protect and preserve the building as a parish church, pilgrimage destination and site of historic importance, explained Hospitality Manager Josiah English. Work is also needed to make the whole Shrine wheelchair-accessible, enable toilet access in the church, and more.

“We are operating a phased approach to the work required. Because Phase Two, which focusses on St Julian’s Church and churchyard, is a much more complex and sensitive project requiring additional attention, we will begin by securing our future financially by investing in the upper Shrine works which will help us facilitate visitors and pilgrims during the much longer and more costly work at St Julian’s, which may at times require the church to close to visitors,” said Josiah.

Phase One
Working with local architect firm Lewis & Tyrrell, the shrine has now gained planning permission from Norwich City Council to open up the loft in All Hallows as a second floor, with six dormer windows, open plan kitchen/dining/living space, and two bedrooms. This living space will offer significantly more privacy than currently available to our resident steward, improving mental health and work/life balance for a demanding role.

Josiah said: "We are delighted that City planners have green-lit plans to extend into the loft space at the Shrine’s retreat centre, All Hallows Guesthouse, which will provide much needed living space for the resident manager, and open up new rooms for guests to help the Shrine safeguard its future financially. Plans have also been approved for new landscaping including level access paving at the Shrine’s upper entrance, and a newly built traditional lychgate inscribed with words from Mother Julian’s Revelations of Divine Love which will form a welcoming entrance to the Shrine for pilgrims and visitors.'

“By freeing up the current steward’s flat we can reinstate an eighth bedroom plus additional self-catering flat ideal for guests on sabbatical or longer term visits,” said Josiah. “This will give us up to 40% additional capacity for groups or individual stays, enabling long-term financial stability for the charity.

“Following the loft renovation, we will relandscape the front garden to include sloped brick paths giving wheelchair access to the retreat house and visitor centre with continued improvements to the gardens as an important wildlife habitat. We will replace the PVC porch at the visitor centre with new exterior doors matching All Hallows, and install a traditional oak lychgate crafted by Norfolk artisans inscribed with words from Julian of Norwich which will form a welcoming entrance to the Shrine with greater visibility to visitors and discourage antisocial behaviour from passersby.”
 
Fundraising Goals
​The cost for Phase One has been estimated at £400,000 and with £200,000 matched funding already in place the shrine is appealing to members of the public, near and far, for donations towards this important work, as well as applying for grant funding.

If you would like to partner with the Shrine, donations toward the building project or ongoing work are gratefully accepted. Click here to donate online. Or get in touch with Josiah with any questions at: josiah.english@julianofnorwich.org

You can read more here.

Pictured above is the Julian Shrine and guesthouse. Picture courtesy of the Julian Shrine.