2016

SP3379 : Stained glass window 7, Coventry Cathedral

taken 8 years ago, near to Coventry, England

This is 1 of 39 images, with title starting with St in this square
Stained glass window 7, Coventry Cathedral
Stained glass window 7, Coventry Cathedral
The window sequence is getting nearer to the altar, and this Purple window on the God side's theme is the "Wisdom of God" by Geoffrey Clarke.
Representing a flower bulb at the base, or maybe the earth, being orbited by the moon, and further up is Noah's ark and the 12 tribes of Israel. Finally, at the top, the flower blooms containing Christian symbols.

Unfortunately a suspended light fitting obscures some of the window.
Nave stained glass windows, Coventry Cathedral

There are 10 main windows in the nave of Coventry Cathedral, excluding the baptistery window. They were designed in pairs to range in subject from youth through to old age and afterlife. The eastern (liturgical south) windows are known as the "God side" and the western windows are known as the "man side", and pairs of windows range from green through red, multicoloured, purple, and gold/silver.

The windows were designed by Lawrence Lee, Geoffrey Clark, and Keith New, with some windows being co-designed by the artists. They were created between 1953 and 1958 when they were completed and stored for later installation.

Cathedral of St Michael, Coventry

Grade I listed

The Cathedral was built between 1956 and 1962 and was designed by Sir Basil Spence, following the destruction of the old mediaeval Cathedral in 1940 through enemy bombing.
It was decided to build the new Cathedral adjacent to the old one, which was left in its semi-ruined state with its undamaged 14th century tower. It would in fact be the third Cathedral in Coventry, as this had been a religious site for nearly 1000 years.

There was a competition for the design which was won by the Scottish architect Basil Spence. The unorthodox design was intended to be "a casket of jewels" and contains many works from famous artists.
The Cathedral was consecrated on 25 May 1962.
The Cathedral was built at right angles to the old one, and therefore aligns north-south.
It is built in red Hollington sandstone with green slate cladding and a concrete roof. There is a nave of seven bays, although the aisles are full height, with slender piers tapering at the base. They rise to a concrete ribbed canopy with timber between the ribs. There is no clerestory. The nave walls are angled in a sawtooth fashion with tall stained-glass windows. The nave and chancel are as one.
The (liturgical) west end has a fully glazed wall with engraved figures of saints and angels by John Hutton. The (liturgical) east wall has no window, but is dominated by a large tapestry of Christ in Glory by Graham Sutherland.
There are two chapels, one to the north east (The Chapel of Christ the Servant) and one to the south west (The Chapel of Unity).
The baptistery area to the south east has a full height slightly curved window with closely spaced mullions containing nearly 200 small windows. It was designed by John Piper and painted by Patrick Reyntiens. The font is made with a boulder from near Bethlehem.
On the exterior wall is a sculpture by Epstein of Saint Michael and Lucifer.
The low roof is crowned by a metal fleche topped by a cross.

The organ is by Harrison and Harrison, divided in galleries either side of the altar.

There is an open western (southern) porch linking the two cathedrals. There are also lower levels to the Cathedral with further display and administration rooms. There is also an attached cafe.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright J.Hannan-Briggs and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Religious sites Place: Coventry Cathedral Primary Subject: Window other tags: Stained Glass Window Geoffrey Clarke Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Articles: · Sir Basil Spence - Architect 1907-1976 Automatic Clusters: · Coventry [1281] · Cathedral [394] · Coventry Cathedral [226] ·
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SP3379, 1833 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
J.Hannan-Briggs   (more nearby)
Contributed by
Julian P Guffogg   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Wednesday, 14 September, 2016   (more nearby)
Submitted
Thursday, 22 September, 2016
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 3362 7906 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:24.5111N 1:30.4320W
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Image Type (about): inside  close look 
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