The United Kingdom's Cathedral Church of St. Michael, Coventry—known as Coventry Cathedral—was gutted by incendiary bombs during World War II. A conscious and collective decision was made preserve the ruins of the original cathedral alongside a new cathedral, with the ruins acting as a constant reminder of conflict, the need for reconciliation, and the enduring search for peace.
Memorial to Unknown Civilians at Coventry Cathedral.
The shell of the former cathedral as viewed from its tower—now a space for worship, for learning and culture, for secular and civic occasions.
Coventry’s two cathedrals, with the ruins of the former cathedral on the left.
WMF included Coventry Cathedral on the 2012 World Monuments Watch because now, seventy years after the bombing, the ruins have begun to crack open, and urgent help is needed to repair the fabric. Cracks in the soft red sandstone originally used to construct the medieval cathedral, now roofless, can be seen here.
With funding from the Estate of Paul Mellon, American Express and numerous generous funders in Britain, conservation has begun. The project will also document, clean, and conserve thousands of fragments of stained glass that were removed from the Cathedral and stored during the war.
The research and preservation of the stained glass began in August at the adjacent Herbert Art Gallery and is open to the public.
One of many medieval stained glass fragments being cleaned and conserved.
A conservator painstakingly conserving stained glass from 600 years ago.
In preparation for Watch Day 2012 at Coventry on September 22, WMF Britain created an acrylic window capable of accommodating several hundred drawn stained glass facsimiles, to be created by community members as a way of connecting with the cathedral's original windows.
Coventry's Watch Day included activities which allowed participants to fully explore Coventry's many fascinating features. Here WMF Britain's Jonathan Foyle shares the "Coventry Tapestry" at St. Mary's Guildhall, adjacent to the cathedral. Regarded as one of the most significant tapestries in the U.K., it is remarkable not only for its well-preserved state, but because it still hangs where it was placed upon its creation, around the year 1500.
Watch Day also included a "Treasure Trail" for children to use in exploring Coventry's delights.
A young Watch Day guest and her "stained glass" creation.
Community members of all ages participated in Coventry's Watch Day, and the day's activities made Coventry's historic art directly relevant to those who enjoy the cathedral today.
A volunteer works with a young artist.
The colorful “stained glass” window created on Watch Day, connecting Coventry's past and present.
