A group of Catholics in England are working to save an historic building in Walsingham that has been a center of pilgrimage for nearly a millennium. The famed Martyrs’ House could be turned into condominiums if supports can’t raise the funds to save it. Here is their story and pictures.
Campaigners are making a ‘last chance’ appeal for funds to save a historic pilgrim centre - Martyrs’ House, in Walsingham, a medieval village close to the North Norfolk coast. The campaign was launched in December 2005 after Sue Ryder Care announced their intention to sell the property, but has only so far raised £20 000. The campaigners were given until the end of January to raise the funds to buy the building. They were hopeful that they had achieved their objective after a major benefactor offered to buy the whole building on their behalf. However, at the last minute this offer was withdrawn. The property has therefore now been split into lots to be sold on the open market with a total price tag of £950 000. Director of the campaign, Dr David Kingsley, said, “Although we are disappointed that we have come to this point, we still have a last chance to save this building if supporters are generous in their giving. If only a few hundred people were to give us £1000 donations we could still save this historic building and develop it as a living centre of Christian life for future generations of pilgrims. Please help us in any way you can.”
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