A church rebuilt because the future King Edward VII was unhappy Catholic guests at Sandringham were having to celebrate Mass in such poor conditions is one of two in the region to be given extra protection.
The 19th-century Roman Catholic churches have been listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.
Rebuilt with the aid of 50 guineas from a future king
Newly listed at Grade II, Our Lady of the Annunciation in King’s Lynn was built with the support of the Prince of Wales - the future King Edward VII.
The church, in North Everard Street, replaced an earlier one designed by renowned architect A W N Pugin, which was consecrated in 1845.
By the end of the 19th century it had fallen into disrepair and the Prince Of Wales was unhappy that his Roman Catholic guests at Sandringham were having to attend Mass in such a building.
He financed a report from architect William Lunn, who found it was beyond economic repair.
So it was taken down and rebuilt, completed in 1897, with some of the old parts of the building and its furnishing reused.
The Prince contributed 50 guineas towards the cost of the rebuild, which also played an important role in the revival of the shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham.
In 1897, the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham was established in the new church’s Lady Chapel by Father George Wrigglesworth, who led the first pilgrimage from King’s Lynn to Walsingham since the 16th century Reformation.
This tradition continued to grow into the 20th century and in 1934, a national shrine was established at Walsingham.
Last resting place of the architect who designed it
The gloriously decorated Minster Church of St Benet in Beccles has been newly listed at Grade II*.
It is the last resting place man who designed it - Francis Easto Banham, a former mayor of Beccles.
Originally intended to be the site of a monastery served by Benedictine monks from Downside Priory, it was built in 1898, on land given by John George Kenyon of Gillingham Hall, a Catholic convert.
The large church, in Grange Road, was designed in a Romanesque style and the richly painted ceiling decoration throughout the church is reported to be by Banham.
The grand interior features a high, barrel-vaulted plastered roof with elaborate stencilling and a continuous inscription taken from the Rule of St Benedict.
The east nave bay has a gilded and stencilled ceiling and the area over the adjacent sanctuary arch is richly painted, imitating fabric.
The sanctuary ceiling is domed and decoratively painted and the vault in the east apsidal Lady Chapel is painted dark blue with gold stars.
A beautiful stained glass window over the north-east aisle door commemorates the architect’s mother.
The architect, and other members of the Banham family, are buried just outside this door.
In 1953 the presbytery was converted into a primary school, which opened in 1957, and a new presbytery was built to the north-east of the church.
A new font was installed, donated by Gwen Taylor, in memory of her son, squadron leader John Stuart Taylor, who was killed in action in the Second World War.
At the heart of communities
Caroline Skinner, from Historic England, said: "These beautiful Roman Catholic churches have been at the heart of their local communities for generations.
"The very distinctive, and individual, style of each building tells the story of the development of the Roman Catholic faith over the centuries, and they continue to offer a calming and inspiring space in our busy world today."
Diana Evans, head of places of worship strategy at Historic England, said: "The listing of these inspiring buildings reminds us that they are treasure houses where anyone can find quiet, beauty and inspiring architecture.
"They offer space to think about our own experience and add it to the story of all the people who have been there before us.
"People think they can’t go into a church building if they’re not members of the congregation, but Catholic churches are usually open, welcoming, and free to visit."
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