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The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes
was opened in May 1957 as a thanksgiving offering
for the preservation of the Roman Catholic Diocese
of Lancaster during World War II.
It is a rare and preciously
intact example of the architectural work of the
distinguished Francis Xavier Velarde (1897-1960).
Unlisted until 1999, the building was categorised
in Grade II* at the request of the 20th Century
Society after a proposal to demolish it.
The chapel occupies
a prominent site in residential Blackpool
and comprises an imposing narthex, a tall pitched-roof
nave, aisles, apsidal chancel and ‘transepts
which form a side chapel on the south side and
vestries etc. on the north. With its facing of
white Portland stone, copper-covered roof and
fleche glittering with gold bands the chapel can
be seen far across Stanley Park.
The
exterior is gloriously confident and individualistic,
made all the more impressive by sculpture
by David John, now in his 70’s, brilliantly
integrated into the whole. The composition of
the Blessed Trinity with Angels above the main
door is remarkable for its scale and emotive force,
contrasting with its conventional surroundings.
Windows appear like elaborate
piercings in the stonework. They are formed into
horizontal bands which light the nave and are
visually marked by sculpted saints standing high
on pinnacles at each aisle corner. Vertical bands
of windows accentuate the narthex. The glass is
tinted soft blue which, set against the white
glass, gives an interesting pinkish glow inside.
Within, a lacquered bronze glazed
screen divides nave from the narthex. It is here
that the impact of early Christian symbolism on
Velarde’s thinking is vividly apparent. The
cylindrical nave columns are studded with gold
mosaic and alternating geometrically decorated
capitals. Mosaic crosses decorate the travertine
of the sanctuary in a bold, unexpected yellow.
The sanctuary rails are of a bronze patterned
design. The sanctuary is emphasised by marble
steps, a stone reredos and an altar enriched with
candlesticks and an impressive blue enamelled
altar cross. Above floated a coffered ceiling
of a vivid blue and gold (now with red added)
and walls of cool grey. There are elements of
jazz modem and art deco so that the result was
"hardly historicist but exhibited a highly
individual expressive modem interpretation (although
by no means strictly Modern) which was liturgically
suited to Roman Catholicism of the post-war years"
(Bronwen Edwards).
The Historic Chapels Trust (HCT)
acquired the chapel from the Diocese of Lancaster
in 2000 following the Director’s visit on
a 20th Century Society tour of the North West,
when the chapel was facing an uncertain future
and some items of furnishing had been removed.
Fortunately these have been secured. The immediate
environs of the chapel are also now in HCT’s
ownership.
HCT has commissioned Peter Hatfield,
architect, to draw up a repair and upgrading scheme
in which all the original furniture and fittings
will be reinstated including the altar cross,
monstrance, candlesticks, lamps, holy water stoops,
pews and chairs. The Trust will make the chapel
accessible to visitors and available to the community
for a range of activities such as concerts and
exhibitions as well as occasional services of
worship.
HCT was established in 1993
to take redundant chapels and other places of
worship into ownership, provided they are of outstanding
architectural and historic interest and situated
in England. Buildings of all denominations and
faiths can be transferred into the Trust’s
care with the exception of Anglican churches which
are eligible for vesting in the Churches Conservation
Trust. The Trust now owns 16 chapels. Subscribing
Friends are welcomed.
The Historic
Chapels Trust
Website
www.hct.org.uk
Email chapels@hct.org.uk
Telephone 020 7584 6072
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