Sacred Heart Church

Sacred Heart Church stands in the centre of Petworth on Angel Street, north of the Petworth Cottage Museum. Built in 1896, it is a Gothic Revival building designed by Frederick Walters and is Grade II listed. The church replaced an earlier mission where priests travelled from Burton Park to celebrate Mass. Before that, local Catholics worshipped at St Richard’s Church in Burton Park. The presbytery, Duncton Cottage, had become uninhabitable, so the priest moved to Petworth. Charles Willock Dawes bought the site in 1893 and commissioned Walters to design a church modelled on Sacred Heart Church in Hove. The church is notable for its stained-glass windows by Lavers & Westlake and brasswork by Hardman & Co. The first Mass held there was the funeral of Dawes’ wife. Dawes himself died in 1899 and both he and his wife are buried in the church crypt. The church’s Gothic Revival style and Grade II listing reflect its architectural and historical significance. The parish also includes two other Grade II listed churches: the Church of the Divine Motherhood and St Francis of Assisi in Midhurst and St Anthony and St George Church in Duncton. These churches share the same heritage and are part of the local Catholic community. Inside Sacred Heart Church, visitors find a space designed for worship and reflection. The interior features stained glass and brass fittings that add to its atmosphere. The church’s Gothic Revival architecture is evident in its design and detailing. Outside, the setting in Petworth’s town centre places it among local landmarks like the Petworth Cottage Museum. The church’s presence reflects the history of Catholic worship in the area and its ongoing role in the community.