About the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in West Grinstead:
That such an impressive Gothic-styled church is found in a relatively isolated rural location might seem odd. But the reason for its existence lies in the story of the brave Catholics who continued to live and celebrate the Catholic Faith after 1534 and Henry VIII’s tyrannical oppression and brutal persecution. Thanks to the efforts of the Caryll familing, who owned a swathe of houses and farms, stretching from the eastern end of Hampshire, through to central Sussex, the Faith was kept alive here.
Eventually,The Carylls were particularly harassed by a virulent local Protestant family, who greatly coveted West Grinstead Park. The Magistrates at near-by Horsham finally succumbed to their demands and the Carylls were ousted. However, before their final departure (in the first-place to the Continent, then onwards to many other countries) the Carylls made provision for the remaining Catholic flock at West Grinstead.
Firstly, the Priest’s House was endowed to the Catholic Church via Bishop Richard Challoner (1691-1781), in order that Mass could continue to be offered for the people of the locality.
Rome had agreed from the outset that this church should be built as a Shrine ‘in honour of Our Lady and in thanksgiving for the restitution of the Catholic Faith to England’. When choosing a title, Mgr. Denis reverted to a well-established devotion to Our Lady which has its origin at Turin in northern Italy. The West Grinstead shrine to Our Lady of Consolation, West Grinstead, was founded by Pope Leo XIII with the Episcopal approval of Bishop Grant. The ceremony of crowning was performed before a great crowd of pilgrims on 12th July, 1893 by the Papal Delegate, Bishop Butt, representing the Holy See and Pope Leo XIII.
About “The Priest’s House” at the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in West Grinstead:
There is a secret chapel in the attic of the Priest’s House next door that can be viewed by arrangement. This does involve climbing two fairly steep and narrow staircases with a total of 27 steps.
There is a display case on the ground floor of the Priest’s House which includes a number of ancient artefacts associated with the recusant history of West Grinstead, its Priest’s House and Blessed Frances Bell.
Traveling to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation in West Grinstead:
The West Grinstead shrine to Our Lady of Consolation is located about 35 miles south of London, close to the A24 London to Worthing road.
Address: Park Ln, West Grinstead, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8LT, UK
Tel: +44 1403 710273
Click here for the official website of the Shrine to Our Lady of Consolation in West Grinstead.
