New Cathedral of St Michael

I am sure I can remember watching the flying cross being placed on the spire by a helicopter from where I worked at the EMEB offices in Sandy Lane but I did not start work until 1963. Am I correct in thinking that the original sculpture blew down and was replaced with a plastic one?

Some relatives of mine have suggested that the factory my grandfather worked (Hessen Glaswerke) donated some glass such as a window or a chandelier when Coventry Cathedral was being re-built. These relatives are coming to England and we would like to visit the Cathedral, hopefully with a view to seeing if such a donation exists. Is there anyone that may know of such a donation? The factory still exists today in Oberusel near Frankfurt.

I wondered if I might have been able to help with this question by looking through the catalogue the Cathedral produced last year for their exhibition "Journey into the Light" which looks at the Art Treasures of Coventry Cathedral including the stained glass. I didn't find anything on a first run through. I wonder if something might have been made for the Old Cathedral rather than Basil Spence's building. I looked at the Hesse-Glaswerke website Hesse, and they seem to specialise in decorative glass vases, so that might be a clue to what they had done for the Cathedral. Another possibility would be to contact the Cathedral through their website to see if anything is known. I believe they do have a curator/archivist.

Many countries and individuals gave generously towards the cost of the new Cathedral. Canada gave a total £3,000 towards the cost of the organ as a mark of thanks, a bronze maple leaf is set into the nave floor near the west screen. The Bethleham font was a gift of Jews, Christians and Muslims who lived in Israel. Sweden gave the floor of the Chapel of Unity and the Swedish west windows. The windows in the Chapel of Unity were donated by the United Churches of Germany. The German government also gave £4,250 towards the cost of the rebuilding. Local people gave the money for the Tapestry, the Baptistry window and the statue of Saint Michael and the Devil. Underneath the Canopy are two large wooden crosses, these are the gifts of a local businessman and are made from local oak trees. The first Nave windows on the font side was paid for by local schoolchildren and is known as the Childrens window.

Was out and about in the city centre again yesterday. I thought members may like to see this, what I assume to be the weather vane on top of the newer cathedral.

I like this one just as it's nearing completion - primarily because you can still see original buildings in Priory St and Cope St!

Interesting to see one of the eight storey blocks of flats under construction at Hillfields in the background, plus it looks like the 'new' swimmimg baths are not yet being built. Could the photo be from the opening ceremony of the New Cathedral?

Last week, on a visit to the city, I spent some time in the "New Cathedral" - there were a good number of visitors, including a quartet of Atletico Madrid supporters, in the UK for their Champions League match that night at Leicester City (interesting that they should do so). There was also a small congregation for that morning's "Litany of Reconciliation". I'm not very good with indoor photography, but I hope these reflect some of the beauty of this wonderful cathedral:

Great photos. The interior of the cathedral is fantastic.

I was lucky enough to get a copy of Basil Spence's book "Phoenix at Coventry" while I was on holiday last week and it made interesting holiday reading. It made me think about the size of the tapestry. Does anyone know of any pictures were taken of the transporting of the tapestry or when it was being hung in the Cathedral. Both jobs must have been difficult.

Hi Anne, There is a sketch of the tapestry being hung inside a Coventry Evening Telegraph Supplement (18 May 1962). Unfortunately the quality isn't brilliant as I had to take a photo of the sketch on my phone (the drawing is A2 size and therefore is too big to scan). Luke.

Thanks for that Luke. The pictures seem to show the last usual last minute rush to complete with all trades working away!!

Here is a different view of the interior with wide angle lens. Also very effective. I received this from an email so acknowledge the photographer Arnold Frederick Storey.

My favourite bit is often missed in those huge concrete aisle columns - many don't spot that the bases end in this reduced width - it's an amazing 'floating' effect