St Michael’s Cathedral in Coventry is one of the most important symbols of the tragedy of Britain’s devastating bombing during the Second World War. The temple is tangible evidence of how armed conflict can turn centuries-old heritage into rubble, but at the same time inspires renewal and reconciliation. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, and the present ruins and modern architecture of the contemporary cathedral are a reminder of the strength of the nation and the importance of peace.
Coventry’s first cathedral: St Mary’s Abbey
The oldest cathedral in Coventry is St Mary’s Abbey, which existed from 1095 to 1539. It was originally a small Benedictine abbey, founded by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and his wife Godiva. In 1102 Bishop Robert de Limesey moved his capital there from Lichfield, making it a cathedral. It was a huge building, 130 metres long. Unfortunately, in 1539 it fell victim to the suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII and was completely demolished.
The other cathedral: the medieval St Michael’s Church
In the 14th century, St Michael’s Gothic Church was built in Coventry and gained cathedral status in 1918. It was one of the largest parish churches in England and a very valuable monument of Gothic architecture, built of red sandstone. The church was dominated by an 87-metre high bell tower. on 14 November 1940, during the bombing of Coventry by the Luftwaffe, the cathedral was badly damaged. Only the tower, parts of the perimeter walls and the bronze statue and tomb of its first bishop, Huyshe Yeatman-Biggs, survived. After the bombing and fires, the then parish priest of the cathedral ordered the words ‘Father Forgive’ to be engraved on the wall of the surviving altar, which became a symbol of reconciliation among the inhabitants. The ruins have been preserved as a memorial and are now one of Coventry’s most important historical attractions.
The temple in 1839. Photo: Historic England Archive
The third cathedral: reconstruction and modern architecture
After the war, it was decided to build a new cathedral next to the ruins of the old church. An architectural competition was held in 1950, which was won by Basil Spence. Work on the new cathedral was completed in 1962. The building became a sign of the city’s rebirth after the tragic bombings that destroyed much of Coventry’s historic city centre. The building was constructed from red sandstone, thus referencing the historic church but giving it a modern, modernist form. The interior of the new cathedral features contemporary artwork, including a huge fabric depicting Christ, by Graham Sutherland. The stained glass windows, designed by John Piper, are made up of 195 panels of abstract forms and distinctive colours, gradually shifting from white to deep red. There is also a sculpture of Our Lady of Sorrows by John Bridgeman and a screen of glass depicting saints and angels, by John Hutton. The surviving tower still serves as a bell tower.
Symbols of the reconciliation of nations
Coventry Cathedral has also become an international symbol of peace and reconciliation between formerly feuding nations. In the ruins of the old church is the eloquent Burnt Cross, created from two charred beams found after a bombing. One of the most important symbols is the Cross of Nails, made from three nails found in the debris from the destroyed roof of the old cathedral. It has become an important symbol and replicas of it were donated to, among others, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, which was destroyed during the war, and the Chapel of Reconciliation at the Berlin Wall. The cathedral also has a copy of the Madonna of Stalingrad, a painting painted by Kurt Reuber in 1942 during the Battle of Stalingrad (now Volgograd). It is also displayed in the cathedrals of Berlin and Volgograd as a sign of reconciliation between former enemies. In 1994, the cathedral received a copy of the Reconciliation sculpture by Josefin de Vasconcellos. Its original was created in 1977 and donated to the University of Bradford. Since then, copies of the sculpture have been placed in the Peace Park in Hiroshima, Stormont in Northern Ireland and Berlin, among other places.
Coventry Cathedral – a legacy
The story of St Michael’s Cathedral in Coventry is one of allegiance, destruction and rebirth. The ruins of the old church are a reminder of the tragedy of war, while the modern cathedral is a symbol of hope and peace. A centre for reconciliation has been created in Coventry to inspire reflection on the past and the future. It is a place that reminds us that even after the greatest destruction it is possible to rebuild not only buildings but also human hearts.
Source: coventrycathedral.org.uk, historicengland.org.uk
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