THE 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 £190,000 National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.
The Mosaic Restoration Company will start their work on Tuesday, April 22, and will carry on for 12 weeks, with visitors still being able to visit and worship throughout the process.
Gary Bricknall, Managing Director at the company, said: “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.”
Influenced by the Unesco World Heritage churches in Ravenna in Italy, the walls of the church are covered in some of the finest Venetian glass mosaic artwork in Europe.
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.”
The Heritage Fund aims to invest £3.6 billion over the next 10 years for their Heritage 2033 plan to raise funds for good causes, and the Church’s mosaics were one of the things the money is being raised for.
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 nose visiting the areas.”
