Droitwich Preservation Trust Supports Restoration of Internationally Renowned Mosaic Church

Droitwich Preservation Trust is delighted to announce a grant of £9,000 towards the conservation and restoration of the internationally acclaimed mosaics at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine of Alexandria in Droitwich Spa.

The Trust’s contribution forms part of a wider £260,000 refurbishment programme, which has also received a grant of almost £190,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Known as one of Droitwich Spa’s most significant heritage landmarks, the church is celebrated for its magnificent Venetian glass mosaics, regarded as among the finest in Europe. Built between 1919 and 1921 in the style of the early Christian basilicas of Ravenna, Italy, the church attracts thousands of visitors from across the UK and overseas each year.

The restoration project will see the mosaics professionally cleaned and conserved, ensuring their long-term preservation. It will also include the digitisation of the original artwork by renowned artist Gabriel Pippet, from which the mosaics were created by master craftsman Maurice Josey and his assistant, Fred Oates.

In addition to conserving this exceptional heritage asset, the project will expand public engagement through monthly guided tours, exhibitions and mosaic workshops for children, enabling more people to appreciate the church’s remarkable artistic and historical significance.

A spokesperson for Droitwich Preservation Trust said:

“The Trust is proud to support the conservation of one of Droitwich Spa’s most treasured historic buildings. The Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine of Alexandria is recognised far beyond Worcestershire for its extraordinary mosaics, and we are pleased to contribute towards ensuring they can be enjoyed by future generations. We are delighted to work alongside The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the parish in helping to safeguard this unique part of the town’s heritage.”

A spokesperson for the Parish added:

“We are extremely grateful to the National Lottery players and to Droitwich Preservation Trust for helping us preserve this unique and magnificent church so that visitors can continue to enjoy its outstanding beauty.”

The Church of the Sacred Heart and St. Catherine of Alexandria is open to visitors on weekdays from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and at weekends from 12.00 pm to 5.30 pm, subject to religious services.