Coventry Cathedral
On the 14th November 1940, Coventry Cathedral was bombed, leaving just the spire, towering above the ruins. Instead of rebuilding the cathedral, it was decided that it should be left to symbolise destruction and remembrance.
Shortly after the destruction, the cathedral stonemason, Jock Forbes, noticed that two of the charred medieval roof timbers had fallen in the shape of a cross. He set them up in the ruins where they were later placed on an altar of rubble with the moving words 'Father Forgive' inscribed on the Sanctuary wall. Another cross was fashioned from three medieval nails by local priest, the Rev Arthur Wales. The Cross of Nails has become the symbol of Coventry's ministry of reconciliation. HM The Queen laid the foundation stone on 23 March 1956 and the building was consecrated on 25 May 1962, in her presence. The ruins remain hallowed ground and together the two create one living Cathedral.
Coventry Cathedral is now both a tourist attraction and a place of worship and sacred space. The church uses many decorations and architectual objects to create this sacredness.
For example, the statue 'St Michael and the Devil' depicts St Michael overcoming the devil. St Michael symbolises the strength of good over evil.
I think that when the public sees this statue, they would have a sense of hope and strenghiness to overcome the devil and because of this, it is a sacred space for many people.Another example is the baptistery window inside Coventry Cathedral, which symbolises 'the light and truth breaking through darkness and confusion'. It consists of 200 glass panels, through which the rising sun illuminates the font.
People would have a sense of awe when they see this window probably because of the size and quantity of the panels. They would have a sense of sacred space.In the main body of the Nave are five pairs of windows which can only be seen when one looks back from the High Altar. Each pair guides the visitor through a biblical journey. The pair nearest the West Screen show the artists’ impression of the Creation. The next pair represent the early followers such as Adam & Eve and Moses. The third pair signify overcoming difficulties and temptations, and the fourth pair display death and sorrow. The final pair show Heaven as the spiritual aim of the Christian and a just reward for a godly life.
At just under 300ft high, the Tower and Spire is the fourth largest in England. It was erected as a monument to the townspeople’s piety and is adorned with stone carvings of kings, queens, apostles and gargoyles. Miraculously, the Tower was untouched by the Blitz which otherwise devastated the City. Every day, on the quarter hour, the bells are rung and, during the summer, people can climb the steps to the top of the Tower.
The sound and feel of these bells would give the poeple an experience of holiness and it would probably feel like God was there in the town looking after everybody. I think some poeple would think of the bells as sacred space.
Coventry Cathedral is very successful in making sacred space. The sheer size of the church is enough on its own to create it, becuase whenever I see something huge and awe inspiring, I feel a sense of sacred space and at peace with the world. The statues and stained-glass windows are also effective in creating that feel.
Also, the quietness and feel of the church would make me feel like God is there, and the organ and worship music can make the church have the feel of sacred space.
