Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Maiden Lane facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corpus Christi |
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| Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Maiden Lane | |
| Corpus Christi Shrine Church | |
High Altar of Corpus Christi during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
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 Corpus Christi
Location in Central London
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| 51°30′39″N 0°07′21″W / 51.510923°N 0.122498°W | |
| Location | Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, Westminster London, WC2E |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| History | |
| Status | Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament |
| Founded | 20 October 1874 |
| Founder(s) | Henry Edward Cardinal Manning |
| Dedication | Corpus Christi |
| Consecrated | 18 October 1956 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | Grade II |
| Architect(s) | F. H. Pownall |
| Architectural type | Shrine Church |
| Years built | 1873-1874 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | 1 |
| Materials | Brick |
| Bells | 1 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Covent Garden |
| Deanery | Westminster |
| Archdiocese | Westminster |
| Province | Westminster |
Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, located on Maiden Lane in Covent Garden, London, is a special Catholic church. It's known for its beautiful design, which is in the Early English Gothic style. This means it looks like churches built a long time ago in England. The church was designed by F. H. Pownall and is a "Grade II listed building," which means it's an important historical building. It was built especially for the "adoration of the Blessed Sacrament," a way Catholics show deep respect for the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
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History of Corpus Christi Church
The land for the church was rented from the Duke of Bedford. There was a rule that the church had to cost at least £6,000, but it ended up costing £8,000. The first stone was placed in 1873. The church's floor was built three feet below the street level. This was done to make sure the building wasn't too tall.
Opening and Dedication
The church officially opened in 1874. Cardinal Henry Manning, who was the Archbishop of Westminster at the time, led the opening. The church was dedicated to Corpus Christi. This dedication was a way to make up for past disrespect shown to the Blessed Sacrament in England. The church was not fully blessed until 1956. This was because it took a long time to pay off all the building costs.
Notable People and Mentions
One of the early priests at the church was Father Francis Stanfield. He wrote two well-known hymns: 'Sweet Sacrament Divine' and 'O Sacred Heart'. The church is also mentioned in the famous novel "The End of the Affair" by Graham Greene. On June 25, 1938, Dominic Bruce, a British Royal Air Force officer, married Mary Brigid Lagan at this church.
Inside the Church
The main altar and the decorative screen behind it, called a reredos, were made by Thomas Earp. He might also have carved the altar in the Sacred Heart chapel. The statue of the Sacred Heart was replaced during a recent restoration in 2018.
Stained Glass and Chapels
The beautiful stained glass windows might have been made by Clayton and Bell. Another window, which is now blocked, was made by Mayer. The Lady Chapel is designed to look like the Holy House in Loreto, Italy. It has a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham. This statue was specially carved in Italy and blessed by Bishop Alan Hopes in September 2015. The stained glass in the Shrine Chapel shows the Coronation of the Virgin Mary.
Statues of Saints
Near the steps to the sanctuary, there is a bronze statue of Saint Tarcisius. He was a young Roman boy who became a martyr. This statue was created by Karin Jonzen. There is also a statue of Saint Genesius. He was a Roman martyr and is known as the patron saint of actors. The church has a long history of being connected to actors. It is also home to the Catholic Stage Guild and the Latin Mass Society.
New Shrines
A special shrine for Blessed Carlo Acutis was revealed on October 12, 2022. It was carved in Italy and includes a relic, which is a special item connected to him. A statue of Saint Gianna Molla, also carved in Italy, was unveiled on April 29, 2023.
Church Restoration and Future
The church went through a big renovation that cost £1.5 million. This work removed paint from the 1970s. Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, reopened the church in 2018. He dedicated it as the new Diocesan Shrine to the Blessed Sacrament. New Stations of the Cross, which are images showing events from Jesus's final journey, were sculpted by Arthur Fleischmann. They were given to the church in his memory by his wife.
Jubilee Church Status
The Sodality, a group honoring the Blessed Sacrament, was started in 1923 and then re-established in 2016. In 2025, Corpus Christi Church is a Jubilee church for the Ordinary Jubilee called by Pope Francis. This means it is a special place where pilgrims can visit to receive a Plenary Indulgence, which is a spiritual benefit in the Catholic Church.
Images for kids
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interior
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altar
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Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham
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Carlo Acutis shrine
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statue of St Gianna Molla
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The Shrine chapel
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stained-glass
