Church of the Sacred Heart, Camberwell facts for kids
The Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart is a Catholic church located in Camberwell, a part of south-east London. You can find it at the corner of Knatchbull Road and Camberwell New Road.
Contents
History of the Sacred Heart Church
The very first church building on this spot was sadly destroyed. This happened during World War II, specifically during a time called The Blitz. On October 8-9, 1941, enemy action caused its destruction.
Building the New Church
After the war, a new church was built. Construction started in 1952 and finished in 1958. The design of this new church is known as the "Moderne style." This style was popular in the mid-20th century.
A Special Building
The new church is considered an important historical building. Since 2015, it has been officially recognized as a "Grade II listed building" on the National Heritage List for England. This means it's protected because of its special architectural or historical importance. The first stone for the new church was placed by Cyril Cowderoy on April 19, 1952. This is called a foundation stone.
Art and Design Inside the Church
Inside the Church of the Sacred Heart, you can find beautiful artworks. These are called the Stations of the Cross. They show different moments from the story of Jesus.
The Stations of the Cross
These special sculptures were made by a company called Burns & Oates. They are placed above the side aisles, which are the walkways along the sides of the church. Each of the individual Stations of the Cross is made using a unique technique called opus sectile. This means small pieces of material are cut and fitted together to create a picture. These artworks are set against a shiny gold mosaic background, making them stand out.
