architectural tour page

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The Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart

The building was designed by the architect Clutton, and was opened on 5th February 1875. The architecture presented a mixture of neo-gothic and neo-Norman influences while reflecting the spirit of the Victorian era.

Many years later, a type of early French Gothic was adopted as the basis of design for the re-ordering of the interior of the church, by the architect A. J. Pilkington.

1. The Entrance

The Sacred Heart entrance draws you into this imposing and welcoming Catholic Church which serves the needs of the local community and welcomes visitors from many parts of the world, who come to Bournemouth for their holidays, to study or conduct business.

2. The Nave

The impressive wooden barrel vaulting over the Nave produces a spacious church with an illusion of great height and width yet not possessing either. Height from the centre of barrel vaulting to the floor is 40ft.

The plan of the whole building is cruciform, with the nave and transepts of unusual width and the aisles narrow — the object being to accommodate the whole congregation as far as possible in the nave, and to use the aisles only as ambulatories and for processions.

The church accommodates about 480 seats. The church as it is today, its nave, transepts, sanctuary and chapels, appear to be in its proportions and style, of French origin with characteristic English details more or less introduced and grafted into it.

The height of the lantern tower in the centre is approximately 68ft; the length of the Nave from end to end, 117 ft; width across transepts, 68ft 6ins.

3. The Sanctuary

Inspiring and beautiful in its design and purpose, the sanctuary is the centrepiece of the church. Swanage stone was used for facing the external walls and the free stone dressing for the columns and arches. Corngrit was chosen for the four massive circular piers at the crossing, owing to the greater strength needed for bearing a load of around 350 tons.

The Lady Chapel and St Joseph's Chapel are to the left and right of the Sanctuary and separated from the High Altar by side screens of carved oak.

The relics of the martyrs SS Innocent and Benedicta were placed in the altar in 1875 and then transferred to the main altar in 1975 by the Right Reverend Derek Worlock, Bishop of Portsmouth.

4. Stained Glass Windows

Within this website we will in the future devote a section to the Stained Glass windows present in the Sacred Heart. On close inspection it can be seen that the windows are clearly English with embellishing arches and columns evidently French. The clarity of colours and designs enhances the beauty of the interior. Examples of the Stained Glass windows can be found behind the Lady Chapel, St Joseph's Chapel, and along the length of the nave following on from the side of the church behind the Dolours Altar. Unfortunately some were destroyed during the last war.

A Pictorial Tour of the Church

The parish community of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church welcomes you and we are proud to share with you our beautiful church. Stay a while, browse through the pictorial tour and enjoy its beauty.

For a Historical Background to the Catholic church of the Sacred Heart of Bournemouth, visit the History page.

5. Sacred Heart Centrepiece Statue

Providing the High Altar with a magnificent centrepiece, the statue of the Sacred Heart stands within the stone niche, supported by two slender marble pillars, and surmounted by a spiral gothic canopy and surrounded by individual angels on either side. A carved stone panel graces the front of the altar.

6. Lady Chapel

This Chapel, which once stood in the Old Oratory, has a special place beside the main altar. The Stone Altar dedicated to Our Lady has many wonderful features which require a visit to appreciate its beauty fully.

7. St Joseph's Chapel

The three stone altars – the High Altar, the side altar of Our Lady and the altar of St Joseph – were all formerly in the old Oratory.

8. Dolours Altar

A magnificent sculptured facade supporting the Pieta of Our Lady holding the body of Christ. An altar for solemn prayer and tranquility. At Christmas time this is especially chosen as a place for the Nativity Crib.