| Description | The focus of Anson’s drawing is not the parish church of St. Francis Xavier, but the replica of the Lourdes grotto, built in the church’s grounds in the 1920s; while the Pugin brothers’ Gothic church can be glimpsed in the background, Anson’s work draws the eye instead to one of the devotional sculptures, which may be a shrine, which fill the garden; two small figures take in the atmosphere of the replica grotto as one walks towards, and the other away from, the church; Anson’s sky, blocked in with horizontal lines, emphasises the even, peaceful plane of the garden |
| Admin_History | The Industrial Revolution caused the population of Carfin, formerly a small village, to swell significantly. The parish was established in 1862 by Father John McCay, while petitioning for assistance to build a school and other buildings. By 1863 the funds has been raised, partially through Protestant donation, to build the schoolhouse. Campaigning for a new church continued. This project reached completion in 1892 with the opening of the church of St. Francis Xavier, an Early Gothic edifice designed by the Pugin brothers. In 1920 Rev. Thomas N Taylor began to construct the replica of the Lourdes Grotto which would make Carfin famous, and which construction provided much employment for local people. By 1922 the grotto was complete, although it would continue to grow, being substantially expanded over succeeding years. |