Forgive them -- Coventry

 

Holy Trinity Church

We arrived at Coventry in the evening yesterday after traveling through the countryside on trains. The country side is beautiful.  It already has a lush green colour and the lambs were in the fields with Mama.  They look so very cute.

Today we took it easy and only visited the sites that I had on my list.  It is also the reason why we are only here for one day, I had a short list.  Coventry Cathedral.  The sight is nothing short of magnificent as you wander through a very busy shopping and eating area and there towering over it all are a number of towers.  The churches host signs of welcome for all to come in.

The first place we saw Holy Trinity Church asked people to "come inside to visit, to pray or just sit for a while."

Quite the impressive setting as you stepped in to the baptismal font.  I stepped up approximately three steps.  The font is the old style concrete and firmly planted.  It is still in use.  The clergy must be much taller than I am because a wiggly baby, a font that high and then as deep as that was I think I would have nightmares!

Stained glass is always impressive.  The window over the High Altar was blown out during WWII and as I understood from the greeter it was the only damage it sustained during the war.  The Cathedral just behind was not so fortunate.  The window was replaced and is called the Brides Window.  All marriages that took place after the destruction were asked to make a donation.  The window is unique as Jesus is depicted shaven.  

This place is most famous for its "Doom Painting", it is one of sixty such paintings in England.  It was re-discovered by accident in 1831, painstakingly uncovered from the whitewash and now preserved and carefully protected.  It is not a happy demonstration by any stretch of the imagination.

At its centre Christ is raising wounded hands in judgement and just off from the hands are scrolls.  One says "Come you blessed of my Father" and the other "Depart from me you who are cursed, into the eternal fire."  Also depicted are John the Evangelist, Peter next to Jesus and at the gates to heaven, Paul, a variety of Apostles, a pope leading the redeemed to heaven, an angel blowing the last trumpet, the stairs to heaven, Mary, the book of evidence presented at the last Judgement, figures of the dead rising from their graves, an orb representing the earth, figures at the feet of Jesus representing the redeemed and the damned, John the Baptist, high status women with ale and water vessels, a group of chained figures being led into the mouth of hell, and the mouth of hell with figures being licked by flames.  A real comforting piece!

The painting was common in medieval England and while called Doom it referred to Judgement.  The techniques and pigments used makes it one of the most significant pieces of medieval art.  

While that all had some extreme levity to it there were also moments of humour.  The tall chair showed just how creative clergy could be in getting around rules.  I found a kindred spirit!!  

The bishop's tall chair came about as a solution to a problem.  The Vicar at the time, Rev'd Walter Hook, wanted to invite his friend to church.  That should not have presented a problem but his friend was the Bishop of Ross, Moray and Aryll and there was a little law that the Church of England had at the time and it forbid Scottish clergy from "stepping foot" in its churches.  Hence the chair so that when his friend, a bishop turned up he sat in the chair and was carried into the church--a fabulous loop hole because the law was obeyed not a foot touched the hallowed floors!!

"Lord God, this little story makes some of us smile at our rules, regulations and how inventive we can be at getting around them.  Right now, our minds go to our church rule makers, be they officials, Bishop or other clergy.  We ask You that our church officials, Bishops and clergy will increasingly give direction and make decisions, that lead us closer and closer to our Lord nd Saviour Jesus Christ.  We pray that they will never become carried away by their positions of power and influence, but rather be ever humbled by their awesome responsibility to You and to us...."

Bishops may shake their heads at my humour and my kindred spirit of 1833 but I am happy to know that I have company from the ages!  

There was also a small Peace chapel, lovingly adorned with regimental colours, wreaths and poppies for those who had died in conflicts from this city.

After we left here we turned the corner and what we saw was heartbreaking because just behind this beautiful building was the rubble of the Cathedral.  The tower still stood but the church itself was reduced to nothing,  Little pieces of stained glass remain in the window frames. Pillars that soared were reduced to a mere few feet.  The destruction was total.  The altar is a charred ruin and right behind are the words, boldly proclaimed Forgive Them.  In a totally different context from Good Friday but an poignant reminder that nothing good comes from destruction and war.  This is also why the destroyed cathedral remains right next door to the newly built and much more modern building as a reminder that nothing good comes from war.

The tower was all that was unaffected

Look closely and see bits of stained glass

the entrance 

This was all that remained.  What looks like benches here is actually all that remains of the pillars.  In various places along what remains of the walls there are plaques "Hallowed be thy name..." and a general modern day concern is listed (that will require its own post)

Charred cross replica as two beams were found in the rubble forming a cross and the words right behind the altar "Father Forgive"

And rising from the ashes just down the steps is a beautiful new modern Cathedral.  

No less impressive in its new style.  The welcome sign was worth the read - but too long to include here!  One line said "we don't care if you are more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury or haven't been to church since Christmas Eve ten years ago" and finishes " We welcome pilgrims, tourists, seekers, doubters -- and especially you...PLEASE COME IN"

Well, that sets the tone!!  The first thing I do is catch a glimpse of a door to my left so I went up the few steps and wandered into the Unity chapel.  Symbolism from around the world made up this chapel.  There was a unique, what I assume, stations of the cross and an all round sense of peace in this small space.

Just a glimpse of the Unity Chapel for you.  The floor is full of symbolism from around the world

Now if one were to go right up to the glass top altar and point the camera directly down...

Let's move into the Cathedral next and as you walk out of this Chapel you are greeted with this wall

Underneath the stained glass is the font, never fear I have a close up.  It is much more user friendly than the last one! The rock was shipped from Bethlehem.

This font is quite unique!

The purple behind is the choir not a gaggle of bishops!

The High Altar

The kneelers at the altar all had embroidered blessings.

This is NOT the pulpit this is the lectern for the readers!  

The Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane, you are looking at the wall mural, the kneeling Angel of Agony, through a crown of thorns.

Chapel of Christ the servant.  As you enter you are greeted with the words from the Maundy Thursday foot washing.  Noticable in this chapel are the children's toys and activities.

The preserved Charred cross from the bombed out Cathedral.

Some of the new panels

From awe to heartbreak to resilience in such a very short distance.  Beauty rose from the destruction and here with the rubble right on the doorstep is the constant reminder that there are no winners in war.  The message that the Cathedral wanted to convey could not be more loudly proclaimed.