Sacred Heart Church, Petworth facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Our Lady of Sorrows Church |
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| 50°59′10″N 0°36′23″W / 50.9861°N 0.6065°W | |
| OS grid reference | SU9790821667 |
| Location | Petworth, West Sussex |
| Country | England |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | SacredHeartPetworth.org.uk |
| History | |
| Status | Active |
| Founder(s) | Charles Willock Dawes |
| Dedication | Most Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Parish church |
| Heritage designation | Grade II listed |
| Designated | 22 May 1985 |
| Architect(s) | Frederick Walters |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1894 |
| Completed | 1896 |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Petworth and Midhurst |
| Deanery | Cathedral |
| Diocese | Arundel and Brighton |
| Province | Southwark |
The Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Petworth, West Sussex, England. It was built in 1896 and designed by the architect Frederick Walters. This church is found on Angel Street, just north of the Petworth Cottage Museum in the town center. It is built in the Gothic Revival style and is recognized as a Grade II listed building, meaning it's an important historical structure.
Contents
History of Sacred Heart Church
How the Church Started
Before the Sacred Heart Church was built, Catholic people in Petworth went to St Richard's Church in Burton Park for their services. A priest would travel from Burton Park to Petworth to lead Mass. Later, the priest's house in Burton Park became too old to live in, so the priest moved to Petworth.
Building the Church
In 1893, a man named Charles Willock Dawes bought the land where the church now stands. The first stone for the church was laid in 1894. Charles Dawes asked Frederick Walters to design the church. Dawes wanted the church to look similar to the Sacred Heart Church in Hove. Building the church cost £15,000. The house for the priest was designed with help from the first parish priest, Canon Lalor.
The church officially opened in 1896. The beautiful stained-glass windows were made by Lavers & Westlake. The brass decorations were created by Hardman & Co.. The very first Mass held in the church was the funeral for Charles Dawes' wife. Charles Dawes himself passed away on December 25, 1899, and both he and his wife are buried in the church's crypt. Dawes left his home, Burton Hill, to the Society of Jesus to be a retirement place for their members.
Churches in the Parish
The Sacred Heart Church is part of a larger parish that also includes two other churches: the Church of the Divine Motherhood and St Francis of Assisi in Midhurst, and St Anthony and St George Church in Duncton. Both of these churches are also Grade II listed buildings.
Church of the Divine Motherhood and St Francis of Assisi
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During the Reformation, local Catholics in this area worshipped at Cowdray House. In 1767, Viscount Montagu helped pay for a Catholic mission in Eastbourne. This mission ended in 1858.
The current Church of the Divine Motherhood and St Francis of Assisi replaced an older church, St Francis of Assisi Church, which was built between 1868 and 1869. The old church still exists today and was designed by Charles Alban Buckler. When the new church opened, the old one became a restaurant.
In 1888, the Sisters of Mercy opened St Margaret's School nearby. As more Catholics moved to the area, the land for the new church was bought in 1891.
Construction on the Church of the Divine Motherhood and St Francis of Assisi began in 1957. The church opened its doors in 1962. In 1965, a sculpture of Madonna and Child by Richard Guyatt was placed above the main entrance. The church was officially dedicated in May 1966. The church, without its tower, cost £35,000 to build.
The church is listed as a Grade II building because of its unique design, fittings, and sculptures. Inside, there is a special chapel for the Passion of Christ. There are also altars dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, St Patrick, and Blessed Margaret Pole. A sculptor from Sussex, Michael Clark, created the crucifix inside the church.
St Anthony and St George Church
St Anthony and St George Church was started by Anthony Wright Biddulph, who owned Burton Park. In 1868, the first stone for the church was laid by Bishop Thomas Grant of Southwark. The church was built a short distance from St Richard's Church in Burton Park.
Building the church cost £5,000. The architect was Gilbert Blount, and the builders were John Ellis of Chichester. The church was officially dedicated by Cardinal Manning. In 1895, Biddulph passed away and was buried in the church's crypt. This church became a Grade II listed building on April 27, 2015.
Mass Times
The Sacred Heart Church in Petworth holds two Sunday Masses: one on Saturday evening at 5:30 PM and another on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM.
The Church of the Divine Motherhood and St Francis of Assisi in Midhurst also has two Masses: one on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM and another on Sunday morning at 9:30 AM.
St Anthony and St George Church in Duncton has one Sunday Mass at 8:00 AM.
See also
- List of current places of worship in Chichester District
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton
