Apart from the Catholic Cathedral in Liverpool I don't make a habit of visiting RC churches. I find the interiors too brash and not to my taste and by rights this rather ugly 1970s one in Goring-by-sea shouldn't have been any different. However, stop we did and it was a deliberate choice for we had travelled across specially. Within its four walls it hides a secret.
Back in 1986 one of the parishioners, Gary Bevans, went on a pilgrimage to Rome and returned a changed man. Inspired by the Sistine Chapel ceiling he sought permission to recreate it here. Paid for by the other parishioners he started this project in 1987. This chap is a sign writer and not a professionally trained artist yet look at what he achieved....the only reproduction in the world and on a 2/3 scale. He had to board the entire ceiling himself and work out all the dimensions and when he completed this in 1993 he had 1.5inches to spare. He was sponsored by Dulux and spent many pounds and many hours poring over books to get the colours true to the original which were now concealed under many layers of dirt in the original [Michelangelo's work was cleaned four years ago]. What an achievement...he painted on any work free days he had and in the evenings after he'd put his small children to bed. Quite astounding. The figure in pink and yellow is believed to have been a depiction of Michelangelo. Mr Bevan's artistic endeavours haven't stopped there though because he's gone on to create lots of faux marble paint effects around the church and the 'Last Supper' with a cheeky extra...the pet dog belonging to the priest has somehow snuck in🐶
David and I have been talking about going for years, but have never quite got around to it. Even now we had intended to go the day before, but the weather was so foul that we postponed it. Thank goodness we did for the following day was fabulous sunshine and as it turned out also the last day of the season for viewing. What I hadn't appreciated was that the church has such fabulous jewel coloured windows. They came into their own with the light beaming through.
What a fabulous little gem. Since I shared a few photos elsewhere local friends and family have mentioned that they've driven past many times, but without a clue of what treasure lies within. It seems that they might have a few more visitors heading their way next year when the new season starts again in April.
Arilx
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