Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria

The Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria is a Catholic church situated in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, England, noted for its remarkable and extensive mosaics. The church is often referred to as "England's Ravenna" and is heavily influenced by the churches in Ravenna, just south of Venice, Italy. It is considered as one of the most beautiful churches in England. Walter Loveridge Hodgkinson of Rashwood Court, Droitwich, was the main benefactor of the church. He built the church in memory of his wife Catherine who died in 1906. The architect was Frank Barry Peacock, a partner in the Birmingham architectural practice of Peacock and Bewlay. Although the project was planned as early as 1909, it was delayed due to WW1. The foundation stone was laid on 25 November 1919, the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria and the birth date of Catherine Hodgkinson. The first Mass was celebrated on 24 November 1921, the anniversary of the death of Catherine Hodgkinson. One of the two principal side chapels in the Church is dedicated to St. Catherine. Hubert Howard Galton of Hadzor Hall was also a significant donor having bought the land in 1909 and funded the decoration of the Lady Chapel in memory of his two sons Theodore and Francis who were killed in WW1 and his daughter Lucy. The building was listed at Grade II* on 11 December 2013.

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