Our Lady of Walsingham
Oil Paint on Wood Panel
18" x 26" x .75"

Icon of Our Lady of Walsingham was painted for Holy Trinity Church in Nevada City, California. It is an Anglican/Episcopal Church that has been serving its people for 153 years. Fr. Christopher Seal asked me to write an Icon for his church, which he wanted to be based on a statue from the Slipper Chapel of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, in Norfolk, England.


In 1061 Lady Richeldis de Faverches, lady of the manor near the village of Walsingham, Norfolk, England, was taken in spirit to Nazareth. In her vision she was told by Theotokos to build a replica of the Holy House where she had been born, grew up, and received the Annunciation of Christ’s birth. Lady Richeldis did immediately as she was told, constructing the House from the plan she was given. The Statue of Our Lady of Walsingham that was used for this icon was made in 1954 from the impression taken from the original medieval seal of the shrine. In this Icon Mary is depicted seated on the Throne of Wisdom. Seven rings on the two pillars symbolize seven sacraments and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. The arched back reminds us if the rainbow – sign of God’s covenant with the World. Her dress is blue for divinity, white for motherhood, and red for virginity. The lily in her hand has three blooms, sign of Mary’s perpetual virginity before, during, and after Christ’s birth. As the Queen of Heaven and of England, her Dowry, she is crowned with a Saxon Crown. On her knees is Christ Child, holding the Gospel in his left hand, blessing with his right. The design for the framework was taken from the beautiful Holy Trinity Church’s Stained Window work. (1, 2)