Coventry cathedral glass windows

[gardener]

I just watched a really interesting program about some windows from Coventry.

The cathedral glass was all taken down at the start of the war, so as to keep it safe. Well, some of it seems to have then turned up in London in an antique dealer's, where it was bought by an Icelandic business man. He shipped it home and gave some of it to a church in the north of the country. A few more windows ended up in a church here in Reykjavík and a bit is in a private house.

At best, the windows were bought in good faith. What seems amazing to me is that first they were moved from a safe store, into London during the war. Then they were shipped to Iceland at a time when many boats were being sunk. The church where most of the windows are was consecrated in November 1940 just a couple of days after Covetry cathedral was bombed.

Anyhow, Coventry have kindly said that they don't want them back (probably because they are only from 1850ish) so they get to stay here. A couple of them have not been installed anywhere and it was suggested that they might be sent on loan along with photos of the others, as an exhibition. Not sure it ever happened though.

I've always had a soft spot for the new cathedral at Coventry. I don't recall many family outings from when I was a kid but I do recall going to see it and being told the story of the old one. I think it is time I went back fro a 2nd look

PS I remember the shiny pennies in the floor and just read that these are pretty much worn away by being walked on. I have avivid memory of them being all shiny and new - how old does that make me feel?

[Teifi]

Even when I lived in Coventry I hadn't heard this story of the glass windows - most interesting.

I recall the first time we went to have a look at the old Cathedral. It was a most moving experience -
just the walls and tower remaining, and amid the desolation the cross made of two timbers which had been
lashed together.

To see the desolation which had been brought about and then to go into the new Cathedral which now
joins to the original, with the gigantic Sutherland tapestry dwarfing everything else, is a remarkable
experience.

If you haven't been to Coventry it is well worth a visit.

Teifi

[mikleed]

I think the new Cathedral at Coventry is a revolting design nothing at all to typify English building....again rubbish, and the interior.!
Mike.

[snoopysue]

I like the idea of mixing the old with the new, not too sure about the look of the new bit, but I do like the interior.
It's always going to be controversial doing something like that.
Berlin's cathedral is another example of modern and ancient!

[Antie Em]

Did anyone watch Grand Designs on Channel 4 a few years ago. My son's mate, Dean, converted St Martin's Church in Tipton into a home for his family. I think it's still on the internet. I had really mixed feelings about it, although he utilised a lot of the fittings, it seemed a shame to take it apart - better than it being pulled down though.

[Antie Em]

Here's the link for the above http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/gr ... 9_p_1.html

[snoopysue]

Here's the link for the above http://www.channel4.com/4homes/on-tv/gr ... 9_p_1.html

Interesting, I think it's okay - as you say better than demolishing it. In my home village they turned a chapel into housing, and pebbledashed it to hide where they'd bricked up the old chapel windows - I think it should have been kept as original as posible on the outside. One good thing though - the graveyard is still there and can't be touched - it's not part of the property.

I always fancied living in a converted windmill or lighthouse! And what do I end up in (and couldn't be happier) but a brand spanking new house!

[Teifi]

I think the new Cathedral at Coventry is a revolting design nothing at all to typify English building....again rubbish, and the interior.!
Mike.

Gosh Mike - what a response who threw your toys out of the pram? No need to be so vitriolic!

[Antie Em]

I think the new Cathedral at Coventry is a revolting design nothing at all to typify English building....again rubbish, and the interior.!
Mike.

Gosh Rob - what a response who threw your toys out of the pram? No need to be so vitriolic!

At the risk of being cast out from the forum - I have to agree more or less with Mike. Went once in the 60's - never felt the need to return. When we were kids, my dad's idea of a "day out" was to visit stately homes, cathedrals and churches - I think this is where I developed my interest in grave yards. He never did develop the knack of entertaining 5 daughters. I remember him taking us to Coventry to show what could happen to a beautiful building when it becomes damaged.

[mikleed]

I think the new Cathedral at Coventry is a revolting design nothing at all to typify English building....again rubbish, and the interior.!
Mike.

Gosh Mike - what a response who threw your toys out of the pram? No need to be so vitriolic!

Teifi sorry to be so abrupt but my feelings of English Architecture is more of the Medieval approach to Buildings Cathedrals, and Churches

Regards
Mike.

[mikleed]

For what it's worth I think Prince Charles would agree !
Mike.

[gardener]

I love old churches but I'm not keen on new ones that look sort of old.
Liverpool Cathedral is pretty uninspiring in my opinion, Gothic revival at its worst.
On the other hand, the Catholic cathedral in Liverpool is fantastic and a very moving piece of religious modern architecture.
Guess we are all different and like different things. I'm just glad that Giles Gilbert Scott's design for Coventry was rejected, else it might have looked like the one in Liverpool! I'm not saying he wasn't a talented architect (love Battersea Power Station to bits) but I don't think he did a good job in Liverpool.

[Northern Lass]

Just been into Wolverhampton and the Sainsburys there converted
the church into a supermarket

The bodies were removed and buried elsewhere!

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... s%3Disch:1

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... s%3Disch:1

[snoopysue]

I love old churches but I'm not keen on new ones that look sort of old.
Liverpool Cathedral is pretty uninspiring in my opinion, Gothic revival at its worst.
On the other hand, the Catholic cathedral in Liverpool is fantastic and a very moving piece of religious modern architecture.
Guess we are all different and like different things. I'm just glad that Giles Gilbert Scott's design for Coventry was rejected, else it might have looked like the one in Liverpool! I'm not saying he wasn't a talented architect (love Battersea Power Station to bits) but I don't think he did a good job in Liverpool.

I agree about new looking old!
There are quite a few modern Danish churches - in varying styles - some pay homage to the traditional whitewashed church with lead roof (but still manage to look modern), others have no traditional elements at all. One thing they do seem to have in common is amazing interiors - both in terms of the design but also the acoustics. Just a pity the outsides don't always live up to the insides!
Any architect that thinks in a new way is always going to invite critic, some stand the test of time, others don't!

Not sure about using a church as a supermarket though!

[Antie Em]

Just been into Wolverhampton and the Sainsburys there converted
the church into a supermarket

The bodies were removed and buried elsewhere!

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... s%3Disch:1

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h ... s%3Disch:1

Well - thank goodness for that. I was working for a construction company when they dug up Masshouse Circus in Birmingham - at some time used for a buriel ground. The ground was very boggy and good for preserving things - nuff said .....