In 1921 the vicar of Walsingham, Father Alfred Hope Patten, encouraged the idea of the return of the of pilgrimage tradition. A replica of the Statue of Our Lady was carved, and placed in the parish church, and pilgrimage began. There is more to read on the statue on the next page.
   Pilgrimage to Walsingham  became increasingly popular, and a pilgrim Hospice was opened. In 1931 a small pilgrimage church containing a Holy House was created, and the statue was moved there. In 1938 the shrine was enlarged to the form the church we see today.