Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also St. Michaels Cathedral, is located in Coventry, West Midlands, England. It is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry.
The first structure of the Coventry Cathedral, St. Michael's church, was erected between the 14th and 15th century and is thus a gothic structure. It was the largest parish church in England and was elevated to the cathedral status in 1918.
Photos provided by Panoramio are under the copyright of their owners
Sadly, the St. Michael's structure part now stand ruined due to a bomb attack by the German Luftwaffe in World War II. However, the gorgeous gothic tower, spire and outer wall, as well as the bronze effigy and tomb of the first bishop have survived. These ruines remain hollowed ground today and are listed as Grade A constructions, displaying the typically gothic, beautiful broken arches, pinnacles and gargoyles of antiquated dark grey and reddish stone.
Today, a small plaza with benches is encompassed by the former walls of the cathedral, whose massiveness is disrupted by the delicate lacing of the arched windows, some of which still have portions of glass hand painted by John Thornton around 1450
The new St. Michael's Cathedral, built next to these remains, was completed in 1962 and its design by Basil Spence was the result of a competition of over 200. The new cathedral itself was an inspiration to many artists of the post war era. It is modernist in design, but respects the redbrick texture of the old gothic cathedral, but paned with grandiose vertical windows. Also noteworthy are the unconventional spire of the new building, with an abstract sculpture on top, a large tapestry of Christ on the inside, the abstract painting of staindglass on the full height of the baptistery, ranging from white to deep colors. Just as remarkable is the Great West Window, known as the Screen of Saints and Angels, engraved onto the screen in expressionist style.
Beacons of the church are the wooden cross and the cross of nails, artifacts to be found in the Cathedral. One also has to admire the statue of reconciliation or the fantastic statue of St Michael and the Devil.