English Martyrs Goring Way, Goring, BN12 4UE Priest: Rev Liam O'Connor 37 Compton Avenue, Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN12 4UE
Tel: 01903 242624 Fax: 01903 249697
Email: emgoring@talktalk.net In case of Emergency, if no answer,
Tel 01903 200416 (St Mary of The Angels) Visit our Sistine Ceiling website
Religious Community:
Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood
Maryfield, Langbury Lane, Ferring, Worthing, West Sussex, BN12 6QE
Tel: 01903 700695 Schools:
English Martyrs Catholic Primary
Tel: 01903 502868 - Chatsmore Catholic High School
Tel: 01903 241368 -
Hospital:
Goring Hall Hospital
Tel: 01903 506699
We are blessed in our parish with having the only known reproduction of the Sistine Chapel Ceiling in the world. The work was started by Gary Bevans, a signwriter parishioner, who is a natural artist with no formal training, early in 1987 after a parish pilgrimage trip to Rome to attend the Beatification of 85 English Martyrs. Following a discussion with Bishop Cormac, Gary's request to bring 'the Sistine ceiling' here was accepted. It is now completed at 2/3 scale of the original. The colours match the newly cleaned ceiling in Rome. At the Mass of Thanksgiving, attended by many local dignitaries including the Duke of Norfolk and Countess of Arundel, Gary was presented by the Bishop with the papal cross 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice'. Thirteen national and international TV companies have filmed the work, including CBS, ABC, BBC, ITV, Australian, New Zealand broadcasters, and recently Nippon Television International. Magazines, including 'Time' have covered it A labour of love funded solely on donations from firms including ICI, a local solicitor and visitors. Thanks to the generosity of volunteer parishioners, the church is open to view the ceiling at the following times: on Saturday and Sunday after each Mass for up to one hour (but may close sooner), and on Tuesday to Friday from 10 am to to 4 pm. It is closed all day Monday. These times may change from time to time due to circumstances beyond our control. You are recommended to check if you are travelling some distance on 01903 506890. The church is physically located in Goring, a suburb of Worthing West Sussex (off the A259 heading west). See you soon! If you can't make the journey easily, why not become a cyber-tourist?
click here to glimpse our interior Extract of English Heritage Report with photograph of church (pdf format) | 