From the outside, the Church of the English Martyrs looks like an ordinary church in an ordinary street in Worthing, and yet it has the most incredible Sistine Chapel ceiling.
I’ve come to realise quite late in life that whatever your take on religion, churches and other places of worship are some of the most interesting buildings around. For example, there is the church at Hardham near Pulborough with its 12th century frescoes, and (putting aside its ceiling for a moment) the Church of the English Martyrs has some fascinating stained glass windows, including the Peter the Fisherman’s window made with glass from a nearby convent and designed and made by local mother and son artisans. But it is the ceiling for which this church will always be famed.
The Sistine Chapel ceiling comes to a Worthing church
The story of how a 2/3 replica of the original ceiling in the Sistine Chapel (in perfect proportion) and in almost identical colours came to be in Sussex is a simple one. A local man, Gary Bevans, who is a self-taught artist and was a sign writer, visited Rome in 1986/7. When he came home, he asked for permission to replicate the Sistine Chapel ceiling in his local Worthing church, and in an astonishing act of faith, the Bishop agreed. It took 5 and a half years to complete and is the only known copy in the world.
Just in case you don’t remember, the Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 and includes a number of scenes from the Book of Genesis.
Wow!
I had read about the ceiling over the years and before I visited, and I thought I had the measure of it. But nothing quite prepares you for its magnitude. It’s vast, bold, bright, and completely astonishing. The staff are really welcoming and there are mirrored trollies you can use to see the ceiling without straining your neck looking up. Or you could just lie on the floor.
Photos don’t really do it justice, but a visit won’t take long. So if you find yourself in Goring by Sea, you’ll find the church in Goring Way. Take a moment to pop in and absorb the amazing talents and vision of a local man.
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