Our Lady of Refuge, Cromer: architecture and furnishings

These two "early" photographs how the bleakly placed structure had mellowed during a quarter of a century. The first photograph was taken about the time that the Chapel opened; the second was taken in about 1920. It is hoped that it may be possible to find better quality originals rather than the reproductions from the booklet produced to celebrate the Centenary. The left hand one shows the Royal Links Hotel which burnt down in 1949.

A recent photograph of the interior alongside one for 1920 shows that the Crucifix (given by the Shepheard family of Aylsham) is still in place, but fails to show (because of the low resolution of the 1920 image) the increase in depth of the 1938 extension to the Sanctuary. The comparison demonstrates the shortage of space for the congrgation in the original layout and how ad hoc arrangements are still necessar during periods of high visitor numbers. The gas lighting which would not have been unusual in 1920 lasted until the 1950s. The recent photograph (below) shows the extent of the 1938 extension to the Sanctuary (and the Parish banner carried on processions to Walsinghm).

Our Lady of Walsingham and Sacred Heart statues

The main statues are Our Lady of Walsingham (given by Miss Cary) and the Sacred Heart

New Sacristy

Work on a new Sacristy was started in 2010 as the former Sacristy formed part of the Presbytery which no longer used for its original function and is now rented as a house. These pictures show work on the structure as it progressed.