THE SLIPPER CHAPEL (THE SHRINE)

Built in the mid-14th century, and dedicated to Saint Catherine of Alexandria, this chapel served pilgrims on their way to England’s Nazareth. Saint Catherine was the patron saint of pilgrims to the Holy Land and her knights kept open the road to Nazareth during the Crusades.

Her tomb lies in the Monastery on Mount Sinai, within the Basilica of the Annunciation. Just as on Mount Sinai, Moses took off his shoes because he was on holy ground, so the pilgrims to England’s Holy Land used to remove their shoes and walk the Holy Mile into Walsingham.

COW SHED?

After the Reformation, the Chapel was used as a poor house, a forge, a cow shed and a barn. It was restored to the Catholic Church in 1896 by Charlotte Pearson Boyd.

RE-CONSECRATION

The first Mass since the Reformation was celebrated here in August 1934 and on 8th September 1938 the Shrine was re-consecrated by Bishop Youens of Northampton.

CHAPEL IMAGERY

As well as the Statue of Our Lady, several images of Mary decorate the Slipper Chapel. Over the altar is the east window, the work of Geoffrey Webb in 1953 to commemorate the definition of the Dogma of the Assumption of 1950. The centenary window of the Annunciation is over the doors at the west end.

THE REREDOS

As well as the Statue of Our Lady, several images of Mary decorate the Slipper Chapel. Over the altar is the east window, the work of Geoffrey Webb in 1953 to commemorate the definition of the Dogma of the Assumption of 1950. The centenary window of the Annunciation is over the doors at the west end.

OUTSIDE

Over the West door of the Chapel below the image of the Holy Trinity, are the statues of Mary and the Archangel Gabriel, (given by Chorley K.S.C in 1958), reminding us of the words of the 15th century Pynson ballad of Walsingham “where shall be had in a memorial the great joy of my Salutation”.

WAY OF THE CROSS

The 14 oak crosses of the great Cross-carrying Pilgrimage of 1948 form a Way of the Cross in the Shrine grounds. There is a notice listing the places they were carried from and the distances covered.

The 15th Station (The Resurrection) was carried by the Bletchley youth walkers in 1982, and is near the road-side door of the Chapel of Reconciliation.