Catholic Church of St George

The Catholic Church of St. George on Sprowston Road in Norwich was built to accommodate the city's growing northern Catholic population. Designed in a striking 1960s Early Christian-style basilica layout by J. Sebastian Comper, it officially opened in March 1964.The origins and history of St. George's Catholic community span several key phases:The Original Fishergate Mission (1896): Before the Sprowston building existed, the parish was centered in the city center. In 1896, a former 17th-century Boy's Hospital and school building in Fishergate was purchased to establish a Catholic mission for the north of the city.Suburban Expansion (1920s–1950s): Slum clearances and the creation of major post-war council estates (like Mile Cross) meant the working-class Catholic population was moving further north and east. Masses had to be temporarily held in local venues such as the Norman Centre and local pubs.The Sprowston Road Build (1961–1964): To serve this growing suburban population, architect J. Sebastian Comper was commissioned in 1961 to design a new, modern church on Sprowston Road. The new building—notable for its light, remarkably thin walls, and reinforced concrete—cost £76,500 and was consecrated in May 1966.(Note: The Catholic Church of St. George should not be confused with Norwich's famous medieval Anglican churches, St. George Tombland or St. George Colegate, which are part of the Church of England.)To help me give you more specific details, please let me know:Are you looking for information about the church's architectural features or design?Are you researching the genealogy or records of families from the old Fishergate parish?Are you looking for the current mass times or parish contact info?