I decided to begin sharing a tiny morsel of my obsession with abandoned places and things by using my blog to post some of my adventures amongst them, for all of my fellow explorers out there and those on the internet hungry for a good discovery or history lesson.
Place: St. Michael's Cathedral
Location: Coventry, England
Date built: May 1902
Date abandoned: November 14, 1940
History: "On the night of 14 November 1940, the city of Coventry was devastated by bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe. The Cathedral burned with the city, having been hit by several incendiary devices.
The decision to rebuild the cathedral was taken the morning after its destruction. Rebuilding would not be an act of defiance, but rather a sign of faith, trust and hope for the future of the world. It was the vision of the Provost at the time, Richard Howard, which led the people of Coventry away from feelings of bitterness and hatred. This has led to the cathedral’s Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation, which has provided spiritual and practical support, in areas of conflict throughout the world.
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 Revd Arthur Wales. The Cross of Nails has become the symbol of Coventry’s ministry of reconciliation." (Source: http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/about-us/our-history.php)
This photograph nearly brings me to tears every time I look at it. I wonder what he was remembering.
Place: St. Michael's Cathedral
Location: Coventry, England
Date built: May 1902
Date abandoned: November 14, 1940
History: "On the night of 14 November 1940, the city of Coventry was devastated by bombs dropped by the Luftwaffe. The Cathedral burned with the city, having been hit by several incendiary devices.
The decision to rebuild the cathedral was taken the morning after its destruction. Rebuilding would not be an act of defiance, but rather a sign of faith, trust and hope for the future of the world. It was the vision of the Provost at the time, Richard Howard, which led the people of Coventry away from feelings of bitterness and hatred. This has led to the cathedral’s Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation, which has provided spiritual and practical support, in areas of conflict throughout the world.
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 Revd Arthur Wales. The Cross of Nails has become the symbol of Coventry’s ministry of reconciliation." (Source: http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/about-us/our-history.php)
Though this memorial is right in the middle of the city of Coventry, there hangs a deafening silence amongst everyone the moment they step foot inside
Though the historical ruins are devastating, this is the most moving part: In 1990, the Service of Remembrance and Reconciliation began inside ruins of the cathedral to remind us that in the face of destructive forces, human dignity and love will triumph over disaster and bring nations together in respect and peace.
As tokens of reconciliation, plaques were hung on the walls that were standing and this statue was places inside
This is posted below the statue
Behind the cross, on the wall, is written: "Father Forgive."
This photograph nearly brings me to tears every time I look at it. I wonder what he was remembering.
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