Coventry Cathedral - Culture, history and faith

The ruined Coventry Cathedral was built between the 14th & 15th centuries, but destroyed during the Coventry Blitz in 1940. The new cathedral was built next to it from 1956 to 1962.


Where is Coventry Cathedral?

Coventry Cathedral is on Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB. St Michael's Avenue passes the modern cathedral to the north, and the ruins of the old one to the south. University Square and Coventry University are to the east.

 

In brief

There has been three cathedral's in Coventry over the centuries. The first was St Mary's, and only a handful of ruins remains. The second was St Michael's, dating to the late 14th and early 15th centuries. This was destroyed during the Coventry Blitz of 1940, all that remains is a shell and the spire tower. The third cathedral was built after the War from 1956 to 1962, of designs by Basil Spence.

Coventry CathedralCoventry Cathedral from University Square, Coventry (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Coventry Cathedral - history

The medieval cathedral of St Michael's until 1940

The ruined cathedral that we see today was mostly built during the late 14th and early 15th centuries from red sandstone. It was one of the largest parish churches in England, when it elevated to Cathedral Status in 1918, with the creation of the Diocese of Coventry. St Michael's Cathedral now stands ruined after it was destroyed during the Coventry Blitz in 1940. Only the tower, spire, the outer walls and the tomb of the first Bishop of Coventry, Huyshe Yeatman-Biggs survived. The spire rises to 284 feet, adding the weathervane, this rises to 290 feet. The ruins of the old cathedral are Grade I listed. In the 80 or so years since, the ruins have been restored, and memorials have been installed in the hallowed grounds.

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry CathedralThe ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry CathedralThe ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral (February 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The present Coventry Cathedral

The current cathedral was built next to the ruins of the old one, from designs by Basil Spence. Built between 1956 and 1962. There was also designs from Arup, and it was built by John Laing. It is a Grade I listed building. The foundation stone was laid in March 1956 by Queen Elizabeth II. The spire was lowered by helicopter during April 1962. The interior is noted for it's large tapestry of Christ, designed by Graham Sutherland. The Baptistery window was designed by John Piper (and made by Patrick Reyntiens). The stained glass windows in the Nave were by Lawrence Lee, Keith New and Geoffrey Clarke. There is also several side chapels, including the Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane, Chapel of Christ and the Chapel of Unity. Outside is a statue by Sir Jacob Epstein called St Michael's Victory over the Devil.

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry CathedralThe modern Coventry Cathedral (April 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Coventry CathedralThe modern Coventry Cathedral (March 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral

Coventry CathedralThe modern Coventry Cathedral (February 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

Coventry Cathedral

1 Hill Top

Coventry

CV1 5AB

02476 521200

Contact us

 

Project dates

08 Jul 2021 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture
Faith

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com