Sacred Heart Church

Visit Sacred Heart church to explore the life and work of Pugin who died in 1852 without seeing
completion of his most famous work, namely St. Stephen's Tower, home of Big Ben, and other works at the Palace of Westminster including the interior of the House of Lords. (The Palace of Westminster estate in a UNESCO World Heritage Site.)

Sacred Heart church, first built on Union Road, Cambridge and originally dedicated to St. Andrew on 27th April 1843 was designed by Augustus Pugin. In 1890 St. Andrew's church became redundant when a larger Catholic church opened nearby on Hills Road. Twelve years later it was purchased by a benefactor, then dismantled and transported by river to St. Ives, where on 9th July 1902 it was reconsecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and continues to serve the Catholic faithful from the town and several villages within the parish. AWN Pugin only completed three commissions in Cambridgeshire:
• St. Andrew's church now Sacred Heart, St. Ives Parish
• Wilburton Manor, at 55 Station Road, Wilburton built for the Pell family, and
• Redecoration of Jesus College Chapel, University of Cambridge.

Explore the fascinating story of the church known as 'Pugin's Little Gem' granted Grade II listed building status in 1972, the only church in Cambridgeshire designed by AWN Pugin.

Timings & Tours

Saturday 13 September:

10.30 to 15.30

Location & directions

Needingworth Road, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 5JT

Directions:

Walk away from the town centre down Market Road (next to The Ivo Lounge) pass the exit of the bus station on your right and stay straight ahead, crossing over at the bottom to go down Needingworth Road which is clearly signed. Sacred Heart Church is a red brick building on the left, clearly visible as you walk down the road.

Contact on day:

Ellen Kemp

Telephone number:

+447845413857

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

The Church is all on one level with no steps. Visitors are not allowed access to the Sanctuary (altar area). There is some parking on site suitable for disabled - it is not marked as such however.

Additional information

Volunteers will be present to welcome and assist visitors and information will be available to explain the architecture and background of the 'Little Gem' with its fascinating history and the remarkable stories of key people involved in its creation. The Church will not be open for services during the Heritage Open Day event.

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