Catacombs were created by the Jews and early Christians in Rome because they wanted
to bury their dead rather than cremate them, as was preferred by the Romans. Because
burials were forbidden inside Rome itself, they built catacombs outside the city;
there are 60 known catacombs -
As part of the Parish’s programme towards young people within Axminster, members
of the congregation have recreated the Catacombs of Rome inside the Minster, for
the benefit of the Friday Club -
The Catacombs in the Minster feature a portico entrance (appropriately made from the cardboard tubes inside rolls of carpets), a vaulted ceiling, an altar and even niches complete with corpses (actually shredded newspaper in old pillow cases)! The Minster is open to the public between 8 am and 6 pm and the Catacombs will be on view until the end of November.
CATACOMBS REVEALED IN AXMINSTER
Friday Club in the Catacombs