Shrine 1914-18 Our Lady & St. Wilfrid R.C.

Our Lady and St. Wilfrid’s Roman Catholic Church, Waterloo Road / Edward Street.

On the left side not far from the entrance.

1914-18

Blessed 24/25th April 1920 by Rt. Rev. T.A. Bamford, O.S.B.

Oak shrine.

Members of the church

£4,000

Public subscription

Shrine made by Mon. Charles Bayaert of Bruges, Belgium.
Statuary made by Meyer and Co., London.
Designed by Messrs. Pugin and Pugin, Architects, London.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine

This shrine was erected by
St. Wilfred’s Congregation
in grateful memory of the members
who died for their Country
in the Great War 1914-1918

Diptych or shrine, in two parts.

The whole measures 11 feet high by 7 feet wide (3.4m x 2.1m).

The top has a central panel which acts as background to a fine Pieta, or Mater Dolorosa, “Mother of Sorrows”.

Flanking this are two panels which bear the names of the fallen.

The names are raised and gilded in Roman capitals.

Beneath the Pieta, the words of the Requiem are in gilded Gothic script.

The bottom has fluted half-hexagonal columns and carved panels.

The dedication is raised in sans serif capital letters and gilded on a plaque in the central panel.

1. We have been sent two photographs of this memorial. There are differences – the angles of both heads, the clothing. Has this been replaced?

Photo: Jack Tait

Morpeth Herald
30/04/1920 reports the Blessing ceremony.

Newcastle Daily Journal
26/04/1920 reports unveiling of an altar.

North Mail
26/04/1920 reports unveiling.

Wearside Catholic News
01/05/1920 and 08/05/1920 report unveiling

Whitley Bay Observer
30/04/1920 reports unveiling of “Beautifully carved oak altar, with a central canopy of a group representing the Virgin Mother with her crucified Son in her arms.”

Source of quotation
“Requiem aeternam dona . . .” “Rest eternal grant unto them . . .” Latin Mass for the Dead.

Jack Tait, Blyth Local History Society;
Janet Brown;
Michael Newrick;
Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk