History of Walsingham

The history of Walsingham begins in 1061, when Lady Richeldis de Faverches was at prayer. Our Lady appeared to her and asked her to build a replica of her house at Nazareth where the Annunciation took place. This simple Saxon house was later enclosed in a small stone church. The Canons of St. Augustine built a Priory close by and a much larger Priory Church.

From Saxon times people visited Walsingham, petitions were granted, pilgrimages increased. Kings and Queens came to beg favours and receive blessings and gradually Walsingham became the great English centre of devotion to Our Lady. It was, unfortunately, one of the first religious houses to fall at the Reformation. King Henry VIII had the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham burnt at Chelsea.

Now all that remains of the ancient Shrine is the east window of the Priory Church.

The modern Shrine, which is the National Shrine of Our Lady for England, is now situated in the 14th century Slipper Chapel, which was restored to Catholic worship by Miss Charlotte Boyd, in 1897.

The site of the original Shrine lies in the ruins of the old Priory. It is situated to the left of the centre aisle and during our Pilgrimage the Statue of Our Lady is placed there. Before you return home, try to say a prayer there begging Our Lady to intercede with her Divine Son for all UCM intentions, especially for Peace, and the return of the Faith to England.