CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF WALSINGHAM

HOUSTON, TEXAS

New 300 Church

Completed 2004

BEGUN in a storefront in 1984, Our Lady of Walsingham serves now as the cathedral for the Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter, a unique body within the Roman Catholic Church largely composed of converts from the Anglican tradition. In 1999, a sizable donation allowed this convert community to construct a new church that would visibly manifest both their English and Catholic roots, with design beginning in 2000. Inspired by the flint-walled churches of Norfolk in England, home of their namesake shrine of Our Lady, its main entry is marked by a sturdy Gothic tower with gargoyles at each corner. Within, a light-filled nave leads to the crossing and a deep chancel with choir stalls, its entry marked by the traditional rood beam. While based on medieval aesthetics, the building is informed by modern technology. The limestone veeneer and the cast stone arches bear their own weight, with the steel frame only holding the wind load. Not only is this true to the spirit of Gothic structural rinciples, it also saves on cost. The tower not only holds a peal of new French bells, but the air conditioning cooling towers.

Traditionalcraftsmanshipnonethelessabounds. Hand-forged hardware is used throughout the church. A mahogany pulpit and handrail were made to our designs in South America, along with the wainscoting of the replica of the Holy House of Walsingham that occupies one transept and serves as an intimate space for prayer and weekday mass.

Our Lady of Walsingham was dedicated in 2004, raised to the status of principal church of the Ordinariate in 2012, and cathedral in 2014.