Em

 

[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
St. Nicholas Arundel Parish Church
Arundel, West Sussex


It is not known when the first Church was built here in Saxon times, but the Doomsday Book records that a Church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, existed during the reign of Edward the Confessor, between the years 1042 – 1066. It would probably have been reconstructed again during the Norman era.

In 1349, came the 'Black Death' followed by famine and subsequent shortage of labour, and as result, the church become uncared for, and eventually fell into decay. Nothing remains, however, of this building, although some of its old stones were used in the construction of the present building. If when you leave the Church, you glance a few feet to the right of the porch, at about eye level along the main wall, one of these stones can be clearly seen, engraved with four crosses.

At about the same period Richard, the 3rd Earl of Arundel, was planning to establish a College for secular priests near the Castle, but the poor state of the old Church caused the plans to be delayed. Eventually his son Richard, the 4th Earl of Arundel, solved both problems by establishing a College which was dedicated in honour of the 'Blessed Trinity of the Virgin Mary and all the Saints', attached to the new Parish Church. The Royal Patent authorising the erection of the College is dated 1st April 1380. So began the life of this building.

In 1642, Arundel become involved in the civil war, and the Roundheads marched into the town. The Castle fell to Sir William Waller only to be recaptured for the King by Lord Hopton the following year.

Some townsfolk sought refuge in the Church, but surrendered as preparations were being made to smoke them out. The Roundheads, who set about destroying all objects of beauty, turned this part of the building into a barracks. The Fitzalan Chapel was used for stabling horses. Because of its position, canon was hoisted to the top of the Tower to bombard the Castle, which finally fell into the hands of the Roundheads on the 6th January 1644, where they remained until 1648…

____Em

Patrick

 

The Roman Catholic parish of Rye (which includes Rye Harbour) was re-constituted in 1900 with the opening of a tiny neo-Gothic church dedicated to St Walburga, a real "locals" church.

In 1910 the parish was handed over to the care of Franciscan friars, and by 1926 the congregation had outgrown St Walburga's. Commissioned to designed a bigger church, the architect John Bernard Mendham, who had been brought up in Buenos Aires and was familiar with Spanish colonial architecture and mission churches, pulled out his masterpiece. He built a number of other places of worship in Sussex, and was buried in Hastings when he died in 1951 while working on the re-building of Coventry cathedral; but nothing matches the quality of St Anthony of Padua's. Visiting architects have applauded it as a classic example of the correct - and restrained - use of decoration. It is believed to be the only Spanish-Romanesque church in Britain. The astonishing thing is that it perfectly matches the surrounding native English architecture. Opened in 1930, it was the first church built in England by friars of the Conventual branch of the Franciscan order (officially the "Order of the Friars Minor") since the days of Henry VIII.

Many items were transferred to St Anthony's church from St Walburga's. These include stained glass windows, and the memorial to those who died in the world wars. The magnificent rood cross was a gift of the writer Radclyffe Hall; the donor of the Stations of the Cross preferred to remain anonymous.

The church is exactly the right size for the local Catholic congregation, some of whom are direct descendents of the handful of people who kept the "Old Faith" in the early 1800s. It is known that during penal times, when to be a Catholic priest was punishable by death, Rye's fishermen smuggled priests to and from France; the town has a strong "dissenter" (now called "free church") tradition, although many of the old chapels have now gone. There has never been a hint of religious conflict in Rye.

Em

 

Barcelona Cathedral.




In the center of the Barri Gòtic (Gothic district), the heart of Barcelona, is the gothic cathedral, known as La Seu. The cathedral is officially named Cathedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia, after Barcelona's patron saint Eulalia. The cathedral comprises from several interesting constructions from different periods. The church is very spacious. It was built 13-15th century.

Em

 

Guisborough Priory









Guisborough Priory was founded by the ancestors of Robert the Bruce. For generations it was their favourite place of burial and, somewhere under the neatly manicured lawns, lie the remains of the Scottish King's father and other relatives. Unfortunately, in later centuries, the priory suffered severely from raiding parties from the very country where the descendants of its ancient patrons ruled. First a rich and then a poor establishment, the monastery always retained its influence in the North and was a centre of unrest during the Pilgrimage of Grace.

The principle remnant on view today is the ninety-seven foot high east front. Standing almost complete, it is a stark contrast to the, almost non-existent, remains of the rest of the church and associated buildings. It was built immediately after the disastrous fire of 1289 and gives just a taste of what a masterpiece of decorated gothic architecture the abbey church must have been. It seems to have been retained as a gazebo by post-reformation owners.

Quote:

 

St Peter's Church.

Sunset over Church located near Staines town centre by the River Thames.

Patrick

 

Rachel

Jul 26 2005, 04:26 PM

Will you please do Coventry Cathedral showing the burnt cross.

Rachel,

Is this what you were looking for?





God Bless,

Patrick.

Em

 

Basilique Saint Sernin





Erected in 1096, Saint Sernin is the main church of Toulouse. A major step of the Compostelle pilgrimage, it has impressive dimensions: 109 meters long, 21 meters high, bell tower is 65 meters high.

Em

 

Saint John'c cathedral - Malta.



This photo was taken after mass at the Co-Cathedral of St John the Baptist. There was incense burning and this gave the church a moody quality.

Em

 

Mdina



Malta has tonnes of beautiful churches and cathedrals, much because it was ruled for several centuries by the crusaders, the Maltese knights. This is the beautiful dome in the cathedral in the old capital Mdina in the center of the main island, Malta.


During WW2, an enemy bomb penetrates the dome, crashed onto the floor and did not explode.  The defused bomb is now part of the church's memorabilia.

Em

 

Hohen Dom - Germany.



I have no other details about this.

Rose

 

This is the nave of York Minster.

Rose

 

York Minster was pinched by Henry VIII.  High time they gave it back.  It was fully restored after the fire, so it is good for a few years before it needs any more major work.  Put me in charge of making the money, I'll make sure we can afford to keep it in good nick.

Here is a picture of an ornate astronomical clock, created by craftsmen at the Royal Greenwich Observatory, which was given to the Minster to commemorate the 18,000 Allied airmen who lost their lives in World War II when flying out of bases in Yorkshire and the north east. I am very keen on commemorating the sacrifices made by those young men.

Patrick

 

Here are some pictures of St. Alban's Cathedral in Hertfordshire.  Again, another one that used to be ours:

Derekap @ Aug 5 2005

04:13 PM

Many moons ago I was told that York Minster will become Catholic again when there is no scaffolding on it.  Such a large and ancient building needs continuous repair of course, so the saying is unlikely to come true. I am now a Yorkist in exile but I believe the East End of the Minster is now AGAIN covered in scaffolding!  Sometimes the workman have to stop working in one area in order to erect more scaffolding to attend to  an even more urgent task in another.  Nevertheless I do believe one day, sooner or later, it will return.  For some years the KSC have arranged Holy Mass in the Crypt now and again and not so long ago two national Catholic Organisations arranged Mass in the nave.  So we have a foot in the door as it were.

On the occasion of the fire many York people were awakened by telephone enquiries from other countries and millions were watching the fire on TV  hours before most York people even knew.                Derekap

Rose of York

 

Derekap

Aug 5 2005, 04:13 PM

On the occasion of the fire many York people were awakened by telephone enquiries from other countries and millions were watching the fire on TV  hours before most York people even knew  Derekap

Derek that is they'd all been on Tetley's.

For our American friends:

Yorkshiremen insist Tetley's bitter beer is the best. Yorkshiremen are intensively proud (even conceited) about their country, with justification.

Rose

 

This one is unusual.  It is an Anglican church, can you tell the difference between this one and a Catholic church?  Last time I was in there, a few years ago, they had a confessional, and statue of Our Lady.  Look at the words from their website:

Chancel and Lady Chapel.
The Chancel and Lady chapel have been altered over the years as pews and seats have been removed. The Lady Chapel, previously a choir vestry, has been redeveloped as a chapel for quiet meditation and reflection as well as being used for the mid-week masses.

It is not a Catholic church!


http://beehive.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/de...67&PageID=15564


http://beehive.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/de...67&PageID=14880

The pictures are the wrong format for copying here.  Sorry!

Rose

 

Saint Peter at Gowts Lincoln - another one that looks very "Catholic"

http://beehive.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/de...39&PageID=15685

http://beehive.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/de...39&PageID=15684

Patrick

 

Rose,

They look more Catholic than most of our Churches!  :(

Anon

 

Whitby Abbey

This church was well attended, one day, the parish priest, preached a homily that people liked so much that they could not resist clapping and brought the house down.

or

Whitby Abbey can be reached by walking up the 199 steps from the town. Theer is a nice view over the town and the harbour from up on the cliff (but they are another story and post).

BenAGregory

 

NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, PARIS.

Outside:



Inside:

Quote:

 

greek architecture

Rose

 

A bit of English History

Chapel at Lincoln Castle

Description: The prison building was designed to keep prisoners from ever meeting or talking to each other. The chapel was designed so that the prisoners could be hooded and led in by rope. A long rope, with knots 3 feet apart would be used. Each prisoner would hold on to a knot and walk into the pews. As they entered a pew, they would close the door behind them so they could not see or talk to the prisoner from the left or the right. The pews had a strange locking mechanism.  Once a prisoner was in an individual pew he had to close the door and it automatically locked.  It was impossible for any of them to get out until the pew next to the aisle was opened by a warder.  Then the next one could get out, and they all left in turn.  The design ensured they could see nothing but the preacher.  The preacher was on a raised balcony and could see the activity of each prisoner.

This shows the view from the preacher's balcony.

People who don't like having children in churches could introduce this method - each child hater could hide away in an individual pew.  :D

Patrick

 

Rose,

A very interesting piece of History - is it now an exhibition or is it still in use?

Patrick

 

Rose,

I managed to fill those pews!



From the image that I have posted, it seems that it is a tourist/daytripper attraction, along with the rest of the Castle

Rose of York

Sep 11 2005,08:30AM

Patrick Mac Sweeney

Sep 10 2005, 10:56 PM

Rose,

A very interesting piece of History - is it now an exhibition or is it still in use?

The chapel is not is use. Guides do conducted tours of the prison at Lincoln Castle. There is a very sad little place with graves of people who were executed. On the roof of Lincoln Cathedral there is a private balcony with a good view of the area where they had the scaffold. When there was a hanging up to twenty thousand people would travel to Lincoln for a day out, to enjoy the "fun". The bishop and landed gentry would enjoy a pleasant meal while they watched from the balcony. Oh dear it would not have been nice for them to have to rub shoulders with the peasants.

If a prisoner or his family could come up with two pennies they would pay two little boys to hang onto the condemned man's legs while he hung. That speeded up his death and shortened the suffering.

Where the scaffold used to be there are some sad little graves, with tiny marker stones set into the ground. I used to find it very sad that some of those people had been executed for crimes that nowadays would attract a conditional discharge.

One condemned man was found dead on the morning when he was due to be hung. Outside the crowd were baying for blood. The warders simply got hold of another prisoner and had him hung!

One of the graves has flowers on it once a year, on or about the anniversary of the hanging. The staff are aware somebody will put them there, but nobody has ever seen it happening. Perhaps they are put there by a descendant of the condemned man.

Rose of York

Sep 11 2005, 08:31 AM

Patrick how about filling those seats with politicians?

Rose

 

San Miguel Mission

The oldest Catholic church in America. Originally built by the Spanish as they entered the area from the south. Destroyed and rebuilt at least 3 times.

Rose of York

 

St Stephen's Church, Skipton in the Diocese of Leeds





Skipton's Catholic church is named in honour of St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The word martyr comes from the Greek word for ‘witness’ and Stephen was the first to witness to the Gospel of Christ by shedding his blood. It is fitting that this church which is the fruit of the steadfastness witness of many recusant Catholics and martyrs should be named after St Stephen.

The story of St Stephen may be found in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles 6:8 – 7:60. He was one of seven men chosen to assist the apostles in their work and ordained a Deacon. He is said to have worked “great wonders and signs among the people” and when this agitated the Jewish leaders, he led an eloquent defense of the Christian faith. The incensed leaders dragged Stephen out of Jerusalem and stoned him to death, even as he beheld the glory of God and prayed for his murderers. His feast day is the 26th of December, a place of honour in the calendar as it immediately follows Christmas day.

The first mention of this church by Thomas Peter Tempest in 1826 seems to suggest that the church was to be named in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, Baldisaro Porri who was born in Appiano, Italy came to Skipton in 1827 and may have persuaded Sir Charles Tempest to name the church after St Stephen. Stephen was a Tempest family name and the Porri family church in Italy was dedicated to San Stefano. The Porri family line is carried on through the Fattorini family who are still dedicated parishioners.

* * * * *

The church was designed by a James Flint, although some references point to the work of Richard Love. Fr Trappes, who initiated most of the work mentions a Mr Lane of Manchester. Land on Sycamore Hill, just outside Skipton was bought with the help of Charles Tempest. When the church was built it was surrounded by cornfields. Work began in 1836 and the church was opened on 15 September 1842, following a five year dispute over its ownership. The original church was a simple rectangular building with a pitched wooden roof. Its approximate form may be shown in the photograph below which is taken from one of the stained glass windows in the church. This window was donated in 1852 and shows Sir Charles Tempest, baronet offering the church to God. This pose has been adopted since the Middle Ages and shows the donor in a posture of protection and patronage.

The church was enlarged in 1850 to include a north and south transept, giving the church a traditional cruciform shape. The sacristy or vestry is in the north transept and the side chapel is in the south transept. The plans were drawn up in 1852 by a Bradford firm and these still survive in the parish archives. The church was elongated by adding what is now the sanctuary area and the Tempest burial vaults were built under the new High Altar which had a splendid reredos designed by AWN Pugin. The gallery was added in the west end and the porch was also built in 1852. A belfry was built and the bell finally blessed and installed in 1884. However, this was removed at some stage and the belfry substantially levelled to its present state. Perhaps the bell was removed to the Convent and hung in its belfry.

The church is now flanked on the north side by the cemetery which leads down to the old Presbytery and School building. On the south side is St Monica's Convent and the parish lawn with it's Lourdes grotto. From the church, there is a commanding view across Skipton towards Lothersdale.

Beautiful as this church and its surroundings are, it stands first and foremost as a witness to the dedication and faith of generations Christians and a reminder of what the baptised are called to be.

"Father, your house is a house of prayer, and your presence makes it a place of blessing. You give us grace upon grace to build the temple of your Spirit, creating its beauty from the holiness of our lives..."

Rose of York

Aug 13, 2006, 07:28PM

St Stephen's Church, Skipton in the Diocese of Leeds

This is the view that one has from the cemetery on the north side of the church. One can just about see the hills in the distance looking towards Lothersdale. The school and the old Presbytery sit at the bottom of this hill. The Porri and Fattorini families are buried beside the church building.



The porch houses the notices and acts as a narthex. The narthex is an ancient term given for the enclosed place at the entrance to the Roman catacombs. As such it is a link to the Christian martyrs who were buried in the Roman catacombs and the Roman Christians who gathered there to pray at their tombs. Indeed in the medieval English church, the porch was an important gathering place for the village people and its use as a place for notice boards remind us of this. The narthex is also a place of transition, where the secular world meets the sacred of the church. As such certain liturgical ceremonies are still carried out in the narthex such as the greeting of un-baptised babies who are brought to church to be initiated into the Christian family.

In the porch one sees a set of double doors which lead into the church proper. These doors were carved in Belgium and installed in 1911 but all the stonework is original and dates to the 1842 building. This was then the main West Door which led into the church. Immediately to the right of the doorway is the stoup on a pilaster. It contains blessed water and the custom is to bless oneself with it as one enters the church, as a reminder of one's baptism. This was added in 1852. Notice the delicate dog-tooth motif around the doorway and around the holy water stoup which is a typical early English Gothic feature.

Patrick

 

Rose of York

Aug 13 2006, 07:30 PM

Later I will post more details of St Stephens.

Rose, please do, that is one beautiful Church.

Quote:

 

This is our heritage.  Let us be proud, and treasure it.

You bet.

:D

CARLO

Sep 16, 2006, 08:26 PM

This week I visited a fascinating and most impressive church in London's Strand.

This is the Church (Anglican) of St Clement Danes, the official church of the RAF (Royal Air Force). The original church was built in the 9th century by Danes living in London and named after Saint Clement a martyr and patron saint of mariners. The Danes were great seafarers. It was rebuilt by William the Conqueror and again in the Middle Ages and in 1682 by Sir Christopher Wren with a steeple added in 1719.

St Clement Danes was destroyed by German bombs on 10 May 1941 leaving only the steeple and walls standing. The RAF launched an appeal to restore the church and this was completed in 1958.

Seldom have I been in a more immaculately kept church. Everything spick and span and gleaming of polish. Not a hymn book out of place. I was moved by the framed black and white photograph of the church burning during the Blitz. The very wide aisle (I think about 12 people could march abreast) and the high altar complete with reredos were also inspiring.

I visited at about 0900hrs. The church was already open to the public. A gentleman sitting at a desk near the narthex said nothing but glanced at me briefly as I entered before returnig to the papers on his desk.

He must have been RAF or ex-RAF. The glance and expression said: "I've logged you mate. Behave yourself in there and don't touch anything or else!"


**********************************************************************
St Clement Danes


Like some great ship at sea
It seems to sail
Down London’s busy Strand
Past traffic lights
And waves of office staff
Hurrying by
To safe destinations

Bound to an anchor fast
St Clement died
In Rome’s watery tomb
Patron saint now
Of mariners, his name
By Danes chosen
Adorns this holy place

And yet its steeple high
No sailor’s mast
Its pulpit and wide aisle
No bridge and deck
No foghorn from above
To warn of rocks
Or fatal collisions

Now eagles wings are spread
And Royal Blue
Garlands and brass reveal
On the runway
Nose pointed to heaven
An Airman’s church
From the ashes risen

Copyright "CARLO" 2006

Patrick

Sep 16, 2006, 10:42 PM

Carlo,

A truly magnificent church.  I did think, however, that your image didn't show it well enough so i tried to hunt down some more revaling pictures that would do it justice - hard to find...but, I found some excellent ones on a blogsite:











The photos can be found HERE with descriptions for each photo.

Enjoy  :)

Patrick

 

And, of course, I enjoyed the accompanying poetry!

:D

CARLO

Sep 16, 2006, 10:50 PM

Patrick

Many thanks for linking those excellent photos. The link also contains a much more comprehensive history of the church than my hurried pen picture. Strange, I have walked past this church on numerous occasions knowing nothing about it. It always looked closed to me. The other morning I was in the Strand at about 0900hrs with time to kill and I noticed the doors were open so I just walked in.

I'm glad I did.

Also glad you liked the poem. 

Slainte

CARLO :D

This post has been edited by CARLO on Sep 16 2006, 10:52 PM

Patrick

Sep 16, 2006, 11:06 PM

Carlo,

It was a pleasure and you're most welcome, my friend.

As for the poem, I've long been an ardent fan of your work!

Sláinte!

Rose of York

Sep 16, 2006, 11:17 PM

Thank you Carlo and Patrick for posting photos and information re the RAF's Church. I went there a few times, long ago, when I had two hours to kill between train journeys on my way home on leave.

I liked Carlo's poem, especially the final verse. Today is Battle of Britain Sunday.

Per Ardua ad Astra

Patrick

Sep 16, 2006, 11:38 PM

Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, London SW1.







Not Catholic, but quite impressive, I thought...

Rose of York

Sep 17 2006, 12:26 AM

Patrick Mac Sweeney

Sep 17, 2006, 12:38 AM

Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, London SW1.

Not Catholic, but quite impressive, I thought...

Not Catholic. Does that mean it's safe from "the chop?"

Rose of York

Sep 17 2006, 12:44 AM

Church of the Holy Spirit, Heckmondwike

This is where Gilbert Keith Chesterton was received into the church.

The link I give shows the church as it was in 1978, and as it is now after "improvement".  When I first knew that church it had fallen into disrepair due to the depression of the thirties, followed by World War II.  It was lovingly repaired and redecorated.  The church was designed in the style of a Roman basilica.  My feeling is that recent changes have robbed the church of its individual character.

The first parish priest sold his private collection of paintings, and used the proceeds to purchased a large plot of land on which the church and school stand.  He also provided the funds to buy an existing house for use as a presbytery.

The early photo is of a church.  The new one is more a picture of a priest, with the church as a background.

Holy Spirit Church

Karin

Sep 17 2006, 02:21 AM

What a beautiful church! It was lovely before and after the remodel. I hope their bishop has the good sense to keep it open!! You never know when a bishop gets the urge to close a church. I just can't believe this is happening to you in the UK. We've had the clustering and parish closings for over eight years now and I still can't understand it. The bishops close the beautiful family churches only to build some architecturally retarded box of a church which looks like a warehouse out in the rural area of a town/city. Why not just rent a local TESCO and be done with it!

Only a handful of the newer churches are lovely - like KatyA's parish. That's beautiful. It's modern, but it doesn't look like a box. It has style and a very homey feeling to it. It's very welcoming AND handicapped accessible...thank you! And our little parish in Oldham is very pleasant, even if it is somewhat modern. But some of these places remind me of a Wheatabix box. Unbelievable!  :unsure:

CARLO

Sep 17 2006, 01:38 PM

Patrick and Rose

These are wonderful pictures of Churches where it must be / have been sheer bliss for the celebrant to stand before the altar and intone "INTROIBO AD ALTARE DEI" (I will go up to the altar of God).

Now tables are placed in front of the high altars and we are sometimes greeted with "Good morning" !

Ah well!


Sursum CordaLet us lift up our hearts


CARLO

Patrick

Sep 17 2006, 01:41 PM

Rose of York

Sep 17 2006, 12:26 AM

Patrick Mac Sweeney

Sep 17 2006, 12:38 AM

Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, London SW1.

Not Catholic, but quite impressive, I thought...

Not Catholic. Does that mean it's safe from "the chop?"

It's not in the RC Diocese of Plymouth, so it's safe from the 'Hatchet Bishop'...

:D

Patrick

Sep 17 2006, 01:48 PM

CARLO

Sep 17 2006, 01:38 PM

Patrick and Rose

These are wonderful pictures of Churches where it must be / have been sheer bliss for the celebrant to stand before the altar and intone "INTROIBO AD ALTARE DEI" (I will go up to the altar of God).

Now tables are placed in front of the high altars and we are sometimes greeted with "Good morning" !

Ah well!


Sursum Corda
Let us lift up our hearts


CARLO

And the server(s) looking onwards, in awe at the Most Holy Mass, responding 'Ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meum', in cassocks with intricately laced cottas...

:D

Rose of York

Sep 17 2006, 02:01 PM

Seeing the pictures of Holy Spirit Church left me feeling gutted. There are strong family connections with that parish. I understood the church was unique, in that it was designed to be in the authentic style of a Roman basilica. Now I feel it has totally lost its character. I am surprised they have not got rid of the lovely copper dome that towers over the little town.

The photo of the church as it is now, draws too much attention to the parish priest. The tabernacle should be the focal point.

Rose of York

Sep 17, 2006, 02:10 PM

Community of the Resurrection (High Anglican), Mirfield

Here is another copper domed church, within spittin' distance of Holy Spirit Church Heckmondwike.  The Comboni Missionaries used to have a junior seminary directly across the road from the Community.

CARLO

Sep 18, 2006, 09:33 PM

Rose

That Church in your last picture reminds me of the Space Shuttle preparing for take off!

Veritas

CARLO

Derekap

Sep 18, 2006, 10:00 PM

Carlo. Surely not? It reminds me of Eastern churches or .. in the light of present news.. a mosque without minarets.

Rose. Has the Verona Fathers' Community closed down or is it still running? It used to be in the village of Stillington near York and I spent a day's Retreat there...not contemplating a possible priestly vocation! (I realised the chances of an English Pope were too remote)

Derekap

Rose of York

Sep 18, 2006, 10:06 PM

Derek the Verona Fathers at Mirfield did close down. Stillington was a separate establishment. I will try to find out more.

I agree with both you and Carlo about the Community of the Resurrection dome. I can imagine it spinning and whirring, rising up and lots of little spacemen emerging. It looks entirely different when viewed from the town of Mirfield. Being on a hill, it looks quite impressive. No doubt it will blend in with the local landscape (mosques).

Rose of York

Sep 18 2006, 10:09 PM

The Chantry Church of Saint Mary the Virgin (Wakefield)


Four chantry chapels stood at the principal entrances to the medieval town of Wakefield - St. Mary Magdelene's at Westgate Bridge, St John the Baptist's in Northgate, St Swithin's beyond Eastmoor, and the chapel of St Mary the Virgin on Wakefield Bridge. Each was served in Medieval times by its own endowed chantry priest(s), whose duty it was to chant masses or dirges for the souls of named dead.

Work began on the the new chantry chapel in 1342 but an outbreak of the Black Death probably held up work and it was not until 1356 that the new chapel was licensed. A second priest joined the chantry chapel's staff, and they continued their work until 1548 when the two priests were pensioned off with a substantial five pounds a year each.

The use of the chapel for ecclesiastical purposes then ceased but it was probably again in use during the last years of the reign of Mary Tudor, in 1557-58. Some occasional repairs were done to it, the most extensive on the occasion of the second widening of the bridge - to the present width - in 1797-98.

It was much sketched and painted from the late 18th century, and increasingly noted by travellers and antiquaries. In later years, the chapel was to be a favourite subject for photographs and, from 1904, for picture postcards.

A spate of letters in the Wakefield newspaper from 1840 called for the chapel's restoration and the Vicar of Wakefield acquired the building. The Yorkshire Architectural Society took an interrest in the matter, and designs for the restoration were commissioned from Charles Barry but nothing came of them. It was not until 1847-48 that a new scheme with G.G Acott as architect was carried out at a cost of about 3,000 pounds. The carving of the new work was undertaken by o William Cox, and the glass was by Barnett & Sons of York.

The new building was opened on 22nd April 1848, Easter Sunday, and it served initially as a church for the new ecclesiastical district of St Mary, which served the working class area of lower Kirkgate and Primrose Hill in Wakefield. Susequently, the new church of St. Mary, Primrose Hill, was built and opened.

An active ecclesiastical life centred on the chapel on the bridge and services are held there still onn a regualar basis at 3 pm on the first and third Sundays of each month.

Patrick Mac Sweeney

Sep 18, 2006, 10:33 PM

The 'Brompton' Oratory

High Altar
St Wilfred's Chapel
Lady Chapel Altar
Calvary Altar
St Mary Magdalene Chapel St Patrick's Chapel
Sacred Heart Chapel The Pulpit

Taken from: Brompton Oratory virtual tour

Poesy

Sep 19, 2006, 04:41 PM

THE BIRMINGHAM  ORATORY . Founded by John Henry Newman

Dome at Night.


Transept.


The Nave.


High Altar.


The Sanctuary.


Lady Chapel.



You may also be interested in the fascinating account of  ' The Lord of The Rings'  author.  J.R. Tolkien and his  long  association with the  Birmingham Oratory.
Link -
J.R.Tolkien

Eve

Sep 19, 2006, 04:51 PM

Poesy the Birmingham Oratory is lovely. Do you know if they are recent pics? It is so unspoilt. A real treasure. Thank you for posting those.

Poesy

Sep 19, 2006, 05:03 PM

Eve

Sep 19, 2006, 04:51 PM

Poesy the Birmingham Oratory is lovely.  Do you know if they are recent pics?  It is so unspoilt.  A real treasure.  Thank you for posting those.

Thanks Eve,
I can do a search for more up to date pics. the few I chose are from the tour guide.
My husband is from Birmingham and we occasionally attend Mass there.
It is truly beautiful and has such a peaceful warm atmosphere even though it is just off the busy Hagley Road, Edgbaston, you can't hear any noise from the outside.

We are soon to move back up to Warwickshire, so a train ride to Birmingham is not that far away.

:)