The Remarkable Sussex Sistine Chapel Story

Date Published 06 November 2023

In common with most locations that boast a long historical record, Ferring and Goring have many wonderful examples of churches dating back through the centuries.

However, nowhere else in the country can claim to have what makes the English Martyrs Church in Compton Avenue, Goring-by-Sea so unique - a full-size hand painted replica of the Sistine Chapel's ceiling!

A Roman Catholic parish church in the diocese of Arundel & Brighton, the building is relatively unprepossessing from the outside. The interior is wonderfully different as it features the only known reproduction of Michelangelo's famous achievement.

A unique vision
The frescoes that Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome date from 1508. One of the wonders of the art world they are widely held to be amongst the greatest examples of human artistic accomplishments.

When Gary Bevans visited the chapel with his family in 1987 the local sign-painter realised that the English Martyrs' Church was the same width as the Sistine Chapel, although being slightly shorter in length.

Having created various artworks for the church, including a painting of the Last Supper which includes a Yorkshire Terrier, Bevans got the backing of the parish priest and then permission from Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Bishop of Arundel and Brighton, to bring his unique vision to realisation.

Starting work in 1987 it took five and a half years to complete. Bevans worked evenings and weekends on his labour of love whilst maintaining his full time day job.

The artwork
The painted area is based on a wooden vaulted surface which is fixed to the church roof. This base was painted white and the frescos themselves are in acrylic paint.

At two-thirds the size of the original Bevans' work is no less impressive than the Renaissance-era art itself, as the scale of the frescoes instantly impresses with the thought of how much work went into this unique reproduction.

The bold colours are carefully matched to those found in Rome and the famous image of God reaching out a finger to spark Adam into life is a sight that is astonishing in its familiarity.

The whole 100ft painting was mapped out on a grid before the wooden vaulted base was built. In this respect, it is a mathematical feat that rivals the artistic aspects.

For someone more used to creating pub signs and adorning shop fronts, Bevans can justifiably be seen as having created his own masterpiece.

A local wonder
While for many of us a visit to Rome to see the original might be beyond our means, for local Worthing, Goring and Ferring residents this marvellous work of art is right on their doorsteps.

The Sussex Sistine Chapel is easy to find by following the A259 through Goring-by-Sea where you will find English Martyrs Church.

It's free admission and all details can be found here.

If you'd like to know more about how living in Goring, Ferring and the surrounding areas has so much to offer talk to us - we're the local property experts with more than 25 years experience in the community.

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*Photo credit: By The Voice of Hassocks - Own work, Public Domain