Christ Church / Greyfriars

Hi Anne Mystery solved for me. "The complete Old Testament English Translation of the Book of Ecclesiasticus from the Latin Vulgate Version of the Holy Bible". Vulgate

Link to Thomas Rickman
Link to Greyfriars, Coventry

Yes, quite right Flapdoodle, the layout of the square has been recreated as it was in 1945 prior to the destruction. I have a picture from a postcard a friend brought back for me from Dresden and it shows the red-roofed buildings surrounding the Church as it does now.

Hi all, Took some photos of a display about the old Christ Church in the heritage weekend at Christ Church, Cheylesmore; sorry about the quality (mobile ): Plaque found in the ruins of old Christ Church. Foundation stone of the new Christ Church. A photograph showing the organ at the back of the old Church (upstairs).

I wonder if anyone knows anything about Christchurch and St Michael's Mission? I was christened there, and know nothing about where it was? or why it is called a "mission"?

Hello Esme103. I can fill in some of your questions about St Michael's Mission Hall as I went there for a few years in the 1950s. It was situated in a little lane running between Much Park Street and Whitefriars Street I think. I should check a map here! The entrance to the lane is through the Whitefriars Gate which is still there. Christchurch was destroyed in the April 1941 blitz and they used this old Mission Hall until the new Christchurch was built in Frankpledge Road, Cheylesmore. I imagine the Hall had once belonged to a non-conformist church. I was 8 in 1957 when we moved to the new church. If you look on Library pictures you can find some photographs of the old Mission Hall. I remember the name Sharman vaguely. My older sister may recall more info. Have just discovered that I too was baptised at the Mission!

Hello again Esme103. In case you don't know you have to register to look at the Library Pictures. Then type in Whitefriars Street and the page will come up with 4 pictures of the Mission Hall. It was in fact in Whitefriars Lane and was demolished around 1958. Built originally as a Baptist Church.

Heres a full image of the shot on front of the leaflet Garland showed us :

That's a very fine picture Neilsyard.

Hi Neilsyard - brilliant photograph - wasn't sure if it was the same photograph for a minute, then saw the man standing by the door in both. As the leaflet was produced in 1941, I guess we can assume this was taken late 1930's/1940-1? Luke

Hi Luke - yes thats my guess as the leaflet you shared was dated '41 - they obviously used an earlier photo. I'd not really seen that side of the church undamaged before

Thanks to Phillip Handy on the 'Coventry I remember' FB page - an unusual shot of Christchurch and surroundings. Looking at the cars I think this is around '64/'65.

Midland Red, I forgot to give an account of my third visit to Dresden in 2014 in which I had the great pleasure of hearing an organ concert in the rebuilt Frauenkirche, which I had only seen previously in its ruined state. The following morning the church was open to visitors and we spent a long time looking and getting the feel of the tremendously impressive pile. Unfortunately I did not realise there is a lift to take you up to the viewing gallery beneath the cupula, above which the cross given by Coventry is resplendent in gold leaf. Only managed one night in Dresden as we had travelled by train 6 hours from Oldenburg, near Bremen. However, it is well worth visiting and I only hope I might make it again one day.

It's many, many years since I saw this much of the spire of Christ Church This is how it was in Feb 2013 No doubt it will soon be hidden again

Nice to see the spire, but I am horrified. That building looked a bit too substantial to be temporary, what was wrong with it? Who owned it? What was the original capital cost? Lot of money to waste in Coventry?