Grant awarded for restoration of rare mosaic church in Droitwich Spa
£9,000 donation aids conservation efforts for historic church
A £9,000 grant has been awarded by the Droitwich Preservation Trust to aid the conservation and restoration of the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Droitwich Spa, known for its internationally renowned mosaics.
This funding is part of a broader £260,000 refurbishment plan, prominently supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund with a nearly £190,000 grant.
The church, dating back to 1919-1921 and styled like the early Christian basilicas of Ravenna, Italy, is considered one of Droitwich Spa’s significant heritage landmarks due to its exquisite Venetian glass mosaics, some of the finest in Europe.
Visitors from the UK and overseas often admire the church's artistic beauty, and the restoration project aims to maintain this attraction by professionally cleaning and conserving the mosaics. Furthermore, the original artwork by artist Gabriel Pippet will be digitised, highlighting the craftsmanship of Maurice Josey and his assistant, Fred Oates, who created these masterpieces.
To enhance public engagement, the project will offer monthly guided tours, exhibitions, and mosaic workshops for children, allowing more individuals to learn about the church’s exceptional historical and artistic significance.
A Droitwich Preservation Trust spokesperson explained the organisation's enthusiasm for supporting the conservation of this treasured building, highlighting the church's recognition far beyond Worcestershire for its extraordinary mosaics and its importance to future generations.
Additionally, a spokesperson for the Parish expressed gratitude to the National Lottery players and Droitwich Preservation Trust for contributing to preserving the church's outstanding beauty.