church

(from my UK trip in spring, 2009)

When exploring a new city, I tend to gravitate towards that town's biggest church/churches. They may no longer be the hub of activity that they were in earlier times, but odds are they're still significant. That and they tell interesting stories. Manchester Cathedral is no exception.

Model of the cathedral, in one of the side chapels. Don't pass these up if you're into the evolution of architecture. They provide interesting insight into what buildings looked like prior to WWII. For example, a model of the Dom in Mainz in Germany includes flying buttresses on the outside of the church. They're no longer there, victims of Allied bombing.

Regimental Colour (left) and Queen's Color of the 63rd (The West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot. In Great Britain, it's common for an Army regiment to have a "home church" in the city/town where it was raised. When a regiment is disbanded, its colors are often "laid up" in that church. The West Suffolk were raised in 1754, and were amalgamated (along with the 96th) into The Manchester Regiment in 1881. That regiment was subsequently merged into the King's Regiment in 1958, which was then amalgamated into the current Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (Kings, Lancashire and Border). British regiments carry two flags, or "colours." The one that is primarily the Union Jack is the Sovereign's (King's or Queen's) Colour. The Regimental Colour is usually the same background colour as the "facings" of that regiment's uniform. The West Suffolk wore the traditional red coats of the Army, with green trim. Of course, modern regiments don't take the colours into battle with them any more, but they still parade with them.

Wood carving in the side chapel dedicated to the West Suffolk and Manchester Regiments.  The Fleur-de-Lis was the central symbol of both regiments.

The "Lady Chapel." Most Catholic (and Anglican/Episcopal) churches have at least a side altar where folks with a particular devotion to the Blessed Mother can go to pray. It's also common practice at weddings for the bride and groom to make a fertility offering at an altar or chapel dedicated to Mary (usually while someone sings "Ave Maria.") This chapel is set up in modern Anglican configuration, so it appears that it is regularly used for the Eucharist.

The altar in the Fraser Chapel has an interesting altarpiece, a modern painting from Mark Cazalet. The center is a depiction of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (in feminine form), sharing a meal.  The left shows a 21st Century "St. George" freeing rather than slaying a dragon.  The release of the dragon from its chains represents the release of creative energy.  On the right is St. Denys, a 3rd Century martyr (and one of the saints to whom the Cathedral is dedicated) wandering the city centre.  St. Denys was beheaded, so he holds his head in his hands.

The octagonal-shaped Chapter House. Usually a Chapter House, the meeting area for the Bishop, Vicars, Canons, and other members of the Church's chapter, is a separate building. The Cathedral's chapter house was bombed in WWII. In an effort to restore the location quickly, a side chapel in the cathedral proper was converted for this use.

Ensign (flag) presented to the cathedral by the crew of HMS Manchester, a Royal Navy destroyer.

Very inspiring painting showing the feminine side of the Deity, something you don't see much of in Catholic churches. Of course, the CoE ordains women.

The nave of the cathedral, with the afternoon sun streaming in.

View of the cathedral tower.

from last Spring, moving to Drupal blog

Continuing with York sightseeing...
 

St. Helen's Church
 

Walking through the streets of York, on the way to the Minster.
 

Memorial to Yorkshire soldiers in the Army who gave their lives in South Africa, 1899-1902

St. Michael le Belfry, located directly across the street from York Minster

The Dean's Park, behind York Minster
 

A neat old Citroen parked just outside the Minster grounds

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The Shambles, a narrow, winding street that reminds me of "Diagon Alley" in Rowling's Potter novels

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Saturday Market

Chocolate Heaven! 

A street musician entertains the crowd in a small square near The Shambles.

At the Sign of the Prancing Mouse

Merchants Hall, with the huge arms sculpted and painted over the front door.

(from my trip to the UK last spring)

Continued from York Minster, Part 1

Wooden model of the Minster.  The floor plan shows the cross-shape of the church, with the octagonal chapter house off to the left.

The ceiling of the Chapter House, an octagonal chamber off to the side of the main church. The Chapter traditionally is the "management" of a cathedral or abbey.

The Celestial Clock that is the main feature of the Royal Air Force Memorial.

Colours of laid-up RAF units.

Chapel of the 33rd Regiment of Foot, later the Duke of Wellington's Regiment

A colour of the 33rd Foot, dating to the 1840s.

Other colours of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment

York Minster, looking from the west

I've already written about my weekend in York, but York Minster was my main motivation for going to the old city.

These two photos are of the western side of the Minster. A "Minster"
is a church attached to a monastery or monastic community. York Minster
is also a cathedral, being the seat of the Archbishop of York, who is
Primate of England. (The official name of the church is Cathedral and
Metropolitan Church of St Peter.)

One enters the Minster from
the south side, where there is a lobby and then ticket booths where one
pays admission. I gladly paid the full admission for all attractions,
but now I'm wondering if you just want to go worship, would they
charge, don't know.

The church's interior. York Minster is a classic, cruciform, Gothic cathedral, one of the largest of its kind.

One
of the many lovely stained-glass windows inside. This one is near the
Western entrance. The close-up is St. Christopher carrying the Infant
Jesus.

Like Manchester Cathedral,
York Minster has several side chapels dedicated to Regiments of the
British Army. This one, the chapel of St. John The Evangelist, is
dedicated to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
The KOYLI was formed from the amalgamation of the 51st and 105th
Infantry Regiments. In 1968, they were merged into The Light Infantry.
In 2007, the LI merged with The Royal Green Jackets to form The Rifles.

KOYLI colours "laid up" in the chapel. The Union Jack is the "King's Colour" and the green flag is the "Regimental Colour."

Lovely St. Michael statue dedicated to fallen officers of the KOYLI

Stained glass window in the chapel, featuring the badge of the KOYLI (close-up).

(continued in Part 2)

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