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Our Lady's Mirror
Winter 1937
Great changes are having to be made in the lay-out of the gardens, owing to the new buildings, as they
cut right across the Shrine enclosed garden. A pergola has been put up over the entrance to the
Refectory while a new path, branching off the Via Crucis has had to be cut – this owing to the
experiences of the past twelve years – is being paved – so we hope to have no more Pilgrims sticking in
the mud or embracing Mother Earth.
It is always sad to have to cut down trees, especially old trees, it is something like ordering the death of
a friend – but we have had to execute two or three of the oldest apple trees in the garden as well as the
old – very old iron bound mulberry tree. It's really heart rending, fortunately two or three young boughs
from the latter had been cut and put in boxes, high up in the branches over a year ago – with the result
that we have two good young trees taken from the parent stock.
A pair of beautiful iron gates similar to those enclosing the Altar of the Holy Cross have been given and
set up at the Chantry Chapel. The grills are painted black and each gate carries a shield – one bearing
the arms of Edward I and the other of Edward and his first Queen. It is almost impossible to imagine
the tremendous improvement the addition of these grills, together with those at the other altar, has
made to the West-end of the Shrine. The donor wishes to be anonymous.
THE NEW BUILDINGS
We have all been very disappointed not to have seen the commencement of the new buildings before
now. We had quite expected to begin the foundations at least by February 2nd. There have been several
good reasons for this delay to say nothing of the attack of ‘flu which invaded the Architect’s drawing
offices. There is, however, every reason to hope that the Extension will be completed by early autumn.
This Church, in honour of the mystery of the Incarnation and the Mother of God, will we hope, be a
worthy successor to the great and famous Church which originally stood in Walsingham. Erasmus
compared Walsingham with the Cathedral at Antwerp and voted for the greater beauty of the latter, but
he also tells us that the glory of the Shrine outshone the splendour of the Shrine of the three Kings at
Cologne. We cannot aspire to rival either Cologne or Antwerp yet, but perhaps some day those who
come after us may raise such a fane upon our more modest foundation just as the Cathedral at Antwerp
has developed from an even smaller beginning than the present Walsingham Shrine.
Many of our friends still seem very confused about the development under consideration. Firstly let it be
clearly understood that the existing buildings are to remain as they are at present. There is a very real
reason for this being so, for they are a reproduction as far as dimensions go of the actual Sanctuary,
the centre of the Pilgrimage which stood in the cemetery of the Canons, to the north of the Great Priory
Church. Even if it were considered right or desirable to rebuild the outer Church (that building which
encloses the Holy House) in order to raise a truly magnificent Chapel, we should feel compelled from
historic motives to retain its present dimensions.
But there is NO IDEA or WISH to alter these buildings.
The whole of the extension is to be in the gardens beyond the outer wall at the window end of the Holy
House, and to link these two together (the end where S. Joseph now stands for instance); the whole of
that wall will be removed and a central arch and two smaller arches, in the aisles, will be built.
The new building is to consist of seven bays – in the last of which is to stand the High Altar raised on
three steps, approached from all sides, rather after the arrangement of the altar in the lower Church of
S. Francis of Assisi. Behind this and at some little distance from it, is to be a gallery gilded and painted
with scenes from the life of Our Lord and His Mother.
In this gallery there is to be the Chapel dedicated to Christ the King, S. Columba and the Celtic and
British Saints. This is one of those Chapels which have already been given. Also there is eventually to
hang here a great Rood under a celure. Here too, it is proposed to keep in special cases being built into
the walls, the various relics of the Saints which from time to time have been given to the Shrine.
Under this gallery is to be the processional way going of course behind the High Altar. Here will in all
probability be the Chapel of the Society of Our Lady of Walsingham which is being generously
subscribed for by members. On either side of the Nave there are to be four Chapels. These four Chapels
have each been given or are being subscribed for.
The first on the right-hand side is the Chapel of the Priest Associates of the Holy House, who most
generously and enthusiastically have and are subscribing in order to have their own Chapel to guard the
Holy House.
The next, on the same side is the Chantry Chapel of Father Wilmot Phillips and Father Tooth. On the
right-hand side (gospel) the first Chapel is to be that of the English Catholic Scouts throughout the
world. It has been given by one who is very interested and keen on Scout work and who hopes it will
become a rallying place for members of that movement and be an extra urge for them to make the
Walsingham Pilgrimage. For particulars of this Chapel and enquiries about its fitments, etc., letters
should be sent, for the present, to the Reverend Arthur Rumball, c/o The Vicarage, Walsingham,
Norfolk.
The fourth Chapel has been given and is to be fitted up as the Fynes-Clinton family Chantry.
Finally at the end of the South aisle under the gallery and facing the present altar of the Holy Cross in
the existing buildings, it is proposed to erect a very small Apsidal Chapel, the Chapel of the
Resurrection. To balance the apse in the South aisle, there will be a similar extension which is to contain
the stairs, leading up to the gallery and its Chapel. In the roof of the bay immediately in front of the
High Altar there is to be a lantern – about ten feet in diameter, which will flood-light that end of the
Church with sun light – when the sun shines!
On the “North” side of the Church will be the Sacristies. They will be approached at the end of the North
aisle by a vestibule with a door to the east leading to the outside pulpit, which will face the altar
pavilion in the garden. Another door to the “North” giving access to the lavatories, while the one to the
west will open into the Sacristy; this is to be a room 21ft. by 27ft. and from it there is to be a small
porch, leading to the Hospice and to the Sacristan’s room where there is to be a stairway to store rooms
above.
Over the Sacristy provision is being made for an organ, which some day we hope to see in place, the
first part of which will cost £400. We mention this in case any of our readers who are particularly
interested in music, might like to make this, in part or in whole, their gift to the National Shrine.
This briefly gives an outline of the work we have got at present in hand, a not inconsiderable amount for
a start! Later on of course, if some generous donor comes along, there are the Cloisters and porches on
the “South” side of the Church; the library with rooms for Priests above; and the adaptation of S.
Augustine’s into the dwelling house, together with the new wing just mentioned for Priests. It is hoped
to use these buildings also for men’s retreats, both private and conducted.
Land has been acquired to the “North” of S. Augustine’s for the erection of a new refectory, rest-rooms,
etc. for pilgrims as well as sleeping accommodation for them, and for retreatants.
“WHAT CAN I GIVE?”
At the risk of frightening our readers we append a list of necessary things for each altar, and remember
there are seven of them, but of course, we expect everyone who has taken over one of these Chapels
as a Chantry or private Chapel to supply everything required.
But even then, it will leave the High Altar and the Chapels of the Societies to be furnished. It is rather a
terrifying list. Each Chapel will need:-
(1) A cere cloth.
(2) Two fair linen cloths, and under cloths.
(3) A cover cloth.
(4) One or two pairs of candlesticks and Crucifix to match.
(5) A set of Altar Cards.
(6) A Missal Stand.
(7) An English Missal.
(8) A Chalice and Paten.
(9) A set of cruets (glass for preference).
(10) An altar bread box.
(11) A lavabo dish and towels.
(12) A Sacring bell.
(13) A mat or carpet to fit the predella.
(14) A Servers card.
(15) A card for prayers after Mass.
(16) Vestments
THE PROPERTY AND PRECINCTS OF THE SHRINE
[details of the property are given here - but click here to see the text and an enlarged plan on a
separate page]
WALSINGHAM COLLEGE TRUST ASSOCIATON Ltd
It is interesting to note that until about one month ago all sums of money of £100 or over were given to
the Shrine by men, the one exception being in recent days for a Chapel in the extension. So far with
this one exception, no cheque of over £100 has ever been given by a woman.
As we have during the past years acquired a certain amount of property as the above plan will show,
and as the Shrine is to be extended involving as it does an expenditure of several thousand pounds, the
Guardians have felt that some safe legal method of holding this property had to be decided on. After
much consideration and discussion on various methods, the Guardians determined to follow the
example of such bodies as Mirfield and Kelham and form a private Company limited by shares under the
name of the Walsingham College Trust Association Ltd. And this was incorporated under the Companies
Act on September 9th, 1936. By this means when one Director dies another is elected without legal
formality or expense.
The directors are the Revd. A Hope Patten, the Revd. Derrick A. Lingwood, the Revd. Henry Fynes-
Clinton, the Revd. H. Elton Lury, Sir Eric Maclagan, the Revd. Humphrey Whitby and Sir William Milner,
Bt.
For those readers who do not know the Guardians we give their names.
*The Reverend A. Hope Patten, Master
The Reverend Derrick Lingwood, Bursar & Clerk
The Duke of Argyll
The Right Rev. Bishop O’Rorke
*Sir William Milner, Bt
The Reverend A. H. Baverstock
*Commander Sir John Shaw
The Reverend C. R. Deakin
Sir Eric Maclagan
The Reverend R. Kingdon
Major H. Adderley
*The Reverend H. J. Fynes-Clinton
Major A. Bowker
*The Reverend E. H. Lury
Mr. Jack Banson
The Rev. Canon C. T. G Powell
Mr. George Long
The Reverend G. R. Vernon
Mr Arthur W. Smallwood
*The Reverend Humphrey Whitby
The Reverend P. Maryon-Wilson
* Members of the Council
Treasurers of the Building Fund: The Master and The Right Reverend Bishop O’Rorke.
illustration: the plan of Shrine property [above]; Enid Chadwick's drawings of the Abbey Gate and the
Refectory pulpit