There are two stories that are associated with the origins of Saint Catherine’s Oratory. Both are plausible but I reckon that they are both off the mark.
It is my contention that this was the work of early stone age man and it was his first attempt at ‘space travel’. In fact I would also suggest that ‘Wallace and Grommet’ were inspired by this advanced construction and modelled their Spaceship on St. Catherine’s.
But for the so called real stories read on.
First let me tell you where the Oratory is located. At height of 750ft it is on one of the highest points of the Isle of Wight and has fine views over the whole island. In particular the coastal views from Freshwater to Ventnor are uninterrupted and is this link to the sea that are associated with the Oratories history. All agree that it was built around 1328. The site had already some religious significance as there is also a Bronze Age Burial Barrow just a few meters away.
One suggestion is that the Oratory was built as a penance for stealing ‘Church Property’ from a ship wreck on the cliffs below.
The other is that the Captain of a shipwreck was so grateful for the help in rescuing his passengers, crew and of course himself had the Oratory built as way of thanks. He made sure that all Maritime travellers were blessed at the services held in the church. For indeed this was a church, the nave is no longer visible but the location of the eaves can be traced in the stone work above the entrance to the tower. It is also alleged that the tower was also used as a lighthouse, very plausible in view of its connections with ship wreck’s.
And a lighthouse must have been deemed necessary to protect shipping in the English Channel as a new ‘lighthouse’ was built at St. Catherine’s Point.
July 8th 2011. Mobil upload.
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 