67. MURAL AND WINDOWS

At the top of the stairs we return to the level of the high altar. Here there is a brown and gold mural, and a set of stained glass windows.

68. ASF MURAL

This is the work of German artist Fritz Kühn (1910 – 1967), and was presented to the Cathedral in 1961. It is a symbol of ASF (Aktion Sühnezeichen Friedensdienste = Reconciliation and Service for Peace) – a group which enables young Germans to make amends for the suffering caused in other countries by their parents’ generation.

69. THE SWEDISH WINDOWS

These windows by artist Einar Forseth (1892-1988) were the gift of the people of Sweden. The theme of the three figurative windows at left is the work of British missionaries in bringing the faith to Scandinavia. The remaining two feature national and Christian symbols. The bright colouring and style of these five windows set them apart from the other windows in the Cathedral.

70. THE LADY CHAPEL

The Lady Chapel is the space at the base of the Christ tapestry. It contains a simple altar, a statue of Mary, and a special chair. I am interested in the significance (if any) of the pointed barricade which delineates the chapel.

71. LADY CHAPEL ALTAR AND BACKDROP

At the foot of the Christ figure in the tapestry, between his legs, stands the figure of a human being, representative of the whole of humanity that Christ has redeemed. The simple, solid concrete altar sits in front of a crucifixion scene with Jesus hanging on the Cross.

72. SIGN AND STATUE  

As we have seen, the lower section of the tapestry shows Jesus on the cross, and forms the reredos for the Lady Chapel. The sculpture of Mary in the Lady Chapel is by John Bridgeman. It was erected as a memorial to the Head Verger, John Wickens, at the time of the consecration. Mary is looking up to the figure of her Son on the Cross. We now move across to view the next chapel.

73. CHAPEL OF CHRIST IN GETHSEMANE 

This most famous Chapel tells of Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane before the Crucifixion. The mural by Steven Sykes shows the angel holding the cup of suffering. On the right are the sleeping disciples. The blessed sacrament is reserved here.

74. CHAPEL OF CHRIST THE SERVANT

Finally we move across to the Chapel of Christ the Servant. Once known as the Chapel of Industry, a name which reflected Coventry’s past reputation as the industrial capital of Britain, the Chapel of Christ the Servant gives thanks for the humble act of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. This important incident at the Last Supper is celebrated in the Eucharist or Communion.

75. CHAPEL ALTAR

There is a simple table altar on a low round platform in this Chapel. Around the altar is written: ‘I am among you as one that serves’. Then on the floor in front is another quotation of Jesus: ‘If I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet.’

76. CHAIR AND SCULPTURE

There is a single chair behind the altar, and above, a suspended Cross, and crown of thorns sculpture by Geoffrey Clarke. By having clear glass, the Chapel enables those looking outwards to keep in touch with the world beyond. The altar and cross were made by students and apprentices from the nearby university and local industry.

77. CROWN OF THORNS

We retrace our steps a little to conclude our tour of this very interesting Cathedral. We stand in front of the Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane, as seen through the crown of thorns designed by Basil Spence – perhaps the best known image of Coventry Cathedral.