The internationally renowned mosaics at the Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Droitwich Spa, are about to be given a long overdue spring clean and restoration, thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £190,000 being secured from the National Lottery Players.
Work will start on Tuesday 22nd April and will carry on for around 12 weeks, but the church will remain open to visitors and worshippers throughout the process.
Influenced by the Unesco World Heritage churches in Ravenna in Italy, the walls of the Church are covered with some of the finest Venetian glass mosaic artwork in Europe. They were mainly completed between 1921 and 1932 and at the time attracted national media interest. Recently, the Church has been described as ‘England’s Ravenna’ in the international media.
The restoration work is being carried out by The Mosaic Restoration Company. Gary Bricknell, Managing Director, commented ‘I think that I can speak for the whole team at The Mosaic Restoration Company in saying that we are honoured to have been chosen to work on this incredibly beautiful and internationally renowned building’.
Fr. George Mathew, Parish Priest at the Church said, ‘The Church will look even more beautiful once the work has been completed, providing a spectacle for all parishioners and visitors, many of whom are in awe when they first come here’.
Councillor Richard Morris, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Tourism at Wychavon District Council said, ‘ The Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Droitwich Spa has been a hidden gem within the County for over 100 years. This project, along with the Parish’s programme of free public tours, children’s mosaic workshops and Saturday visitor centre is providing a huge boost to the number of people now visiting the area’.