Coventry Cathedral - the third and modern one. - Cathedrals on Waymarking.com

The new Cathedral, built next to the remains of the old, was designed by Basil Spence and Arup, built by John Laing and is a Grade I listed building.

Basil Spence (later knighted for this work) insisted that instead of re-building the old cathedral it should be kept in ruins as a garden of remembrance and that the new cathedral should be built alongside, the two buildings together effectively forming one church. The selection of Spence for the work was a result of a competition held in 1950 to find an architect for the new Coventry Cathedral; his design was chosen from over two hundred submitted.

The foundation stone of the new cathedral was laid by the Queen on March 23, 1956. It was consecrated on May 25, 1962, on the same day as the new Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, composed for the occasion, was premiered in the new cathedral on May 30 to mark its consecration. Like its German counterpart in Berlin, its modernist design caused much discussion, but on opening to the public it rapidly became a hugely popular symbol of reconciliation in post-war Britain. The unconventional spire (known as a flèche) was lowered onto the flat roof by helicopter. The interior is notable for a large tapestry of Christ, designed by Graham Sutherland, the emotive sculpture of the Mater Dolorosa by John Bridgeman in the East end and the Baptistry window by John Piper, of abstract design that occupies the full height of the bowed baptisery, which comprises 195 panes, ranging from white to deep colours. The other stained glass windows, by Keith New, are generally regarded as less successful. Also worthy of note is the Great West Window known as the Screen of Saints and Angels, engraved directly onto the the screen in expressionist style by John Hutton. (Although referred to as the West Window, this is the 'liturgical west' opposite the altar which is traditionally at the east end. In this cathedral the altar is actually at the north end.)

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Religious affiliation: Church of England Date founded or constructed: 1962/05/25 Web site: [Web Link] Address: Not listed

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