St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church located on the High Street in Ryde has had its listed status upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England.
In a move welcomed by the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, the building is now among the top 8% of all listed buildings in England, meaning that it is of more than special interest both architecturally and historically.
The Church of St Mary was built between 1844-46 and endowed by Elizabeth Georgina Burrell, Countess of Clare (1793-1879). It is a fine example of an early Victorian Catholic church and one of the oldest in the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. It was first listed in 1972.
The upgrade in status will allow further work between the Church and local groups and organisations to be realised from increased revenue and tourism to the area, allowing the strengthening and development of further community-based opportunities and initiatives.
Bishop Philip Egan, Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, has said:
“I am delighted to hear that the Church of St Mary, has been given Grade II* listed status. This recognises that it is a site of special interest not just to the church, but to the country too”.
Sally Thompson, Project Manager, Ryde Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), has said:
“The upgraded listing announcement for St. Mary’s Church is most welcome news for Ryde’s High Street Heritage Action Zone, as we continue to explore options for the sympathetic regeneration of the former Convent School and the estate’s grounds, to the rear of the church, with the Parish and members of the local community, along with our partners from Historic England, Ryde Town Council and the Isle of Wight Council”.
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The church is now Grade II* listed for the following reasons:
Architectural interest:
- It is an accomplished, relatively early example of the ecclesiastical designs of Joseph Stanislaus Hansom, one of the foremost church architects of the 19th Century, who was responsible for the design of the church and the attached presbytery
- It retains high-quality finishings, including several phases of paintwork and stained glass attributed to various important 19th Century craftspeople, most notably Nathanial and Philip Westlake, as well as John Hardman and Company
- The original layout of the church survives well, enhanced by later side chapels and extensions, including work by J S Hansom
- The more than special architectural interest is principally found in the design quality of the church, which is of particular note in this instance given the constraints of its building plot in a prominent position on Ryde High Street.
Historic interest:
- Built in the period between the 1829 Catholic Emancipation Act and the reinstatement of the Catholic hierarchy in England 1850, the church represents very well a period of the increasing boldness of Catholic church design, aided by the generous support of its private patroness, the Countess of Clare.
Does this mean we will have three bishops visiting to perform the upgrade?
if its gone from grade1 to grade 2 then its been down graded not up dated
No one has mentioned Grade 1 to Grade 2, that was you.
The opening para even says “… has had its listed status upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*..”.
The clue is there, in the actual writing, right at the start, in plain English !
You silly man, typical Catholic.