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From medieval monastery to modern monument |
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Sir Basil Spence (1907-76) was the successful competitor. Prior to entering, he had gained a reputation predominately as an exhibition designer, and he designed for the Britain Can Make It exhibition (1946).
Did You Know?- The difference between a cathedral and a large church is defined by the presence of the throne of a bishop.
- The word cathedral derives from the Latin and originally Greek word 'cathedra', a chair or throne.
- The diocese a bishop overlooks is called a 'see' and is named after the city in which he sits.
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The rebuilding of damaged churches was a greatly debated topic in the post-war years. In January 1944 The Architectural Review argued that a few should be left as ruins as national war memorials and a focal point of "picturesque delight in the planned surroundings of the post-war world".
© Courtesy of Peter Barton.
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This attitude governed the design and placement of the cathedral by Spence. The new structure was positioned to one side of the landscaped ruins of the old cathedral.
The Queen laid the foundation stone on 23rd March 1956.
With the formal announcement of the commission, Coventry was 'flooded' with gifts and donations from throughout the country.
The construction was not without controversy. It was starkly modern in comparison with the rest of Coventry. The walls were staggered with alternating bays of brick and windows from ceiling to floor.
© Courtesy of Peter Barton.
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Spence was keen for works of contemporary art and crafts to play a vital role in the decoration of the interior. Examples of the art work include Graham Sutherland's tapestry of Christ in Glory in the Tetramorph, and abstract stained glass by John Piper & Patrick Reyntiens.
The cathedral was consecrated on 25th May 1962, in the presence of the Queen.
His reputation enhanced, Spence went on to design a diverse range of buildings, including the British Embassy in Rome (1971) and many of the Gorbals tower blocks in Glasgow (1960-66).
The cathedral became a national monument. It also established a Ministry of Peace & Reconciliation to provide spiritual and practical support in areas of conflict worldwide.
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