Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackpool, Lancashire
Listed Grade II*

The Shrine was built as a Roman Catholic chapel and designed by Frances Xavier Velarde; it dates from 1955-7.

Velarde was characteristically interested in early Christian architecture. "The result was however hardly historicist, but exhibited a highly individual, expressive, modern interpretation, which was liturgically suited to the Roman Catholicism of the post-war years" (Bronwen Edwards). The chapel is of Portland stone with a copper roof and fleche. The exterior is ornamented with four statues, one at each corner, and a relief on the facade above the entrance, by the sculptor David John. The interior is dominated by gold mosaic columns, supporting a ceiling of vivid blue, red and gold, with a background of pale grey rendered walls. The windows form a high screen of pierced stone in a bold geometric pattern along each side of the church. The reredos and altar are also the work of David John.

The Shrine stands at the corner of Whinney Heys Road close to Stanley Park. HCT has initiated a phased approach to addressing the repair needs of this important twentieth century chapel. A first phase of repairs was completed in April 2008. This consisted of repairs to the leaking copper roof and re-designing a defective rainwater disposal system. The works cost just over £100,000. Grants have been received from English Heritage, Sita Environmental Trust, Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund, Trust House Foundation, and Hartsheath Charitable Trust. Additional donations have been received by the Historic Chapels Trust and funds raised by the HCT's local committee. Additional donations have been received by the Historic Chapels Trust and funds raised by the HCT's local committee.

For access, ring 01253 300100.

The local committee are working up proposals for a limited series of Open Days in 2008. Please contact the office for further details or check the News Update section from early June 2008.

St George's German Lutheran Church,
55 Alie Street, London E1 8EB
Tel: 020 7481 0533 Fax: 020 7488 3756
email: chapels@hct.org.uk

Company Number: 2778395.
Registered Charity Number: 1017321