A Glimpse of Heaven - last minute idea for Christmas
Clifton Cathedral features in a newly released landmark publication ‘A Glimpse of Heaven’. The book celebrates the beauty and history of more than 100 of the finest Roman Catholic churches and cathedrals in the country and would make a welcome present if you are still looking for that extra special gift.
‘A Glimpse of Heaven’ features several places of worship in the Clifton Diocese as well as the Cathedral. They are Wardour Castle Chapel, Tisbury; St John the Evangelist, South Parade, Bath; Downside Abbey Church of St Gregory the Great, Stratton-on-the-Fosse and St Alphege, Oldfield Park, Bath.
‘A Glimpse of Heaven’ is written by Christopher Martin and is wonderfully illustrated by the by Alex Ramsay’s photography. It is the first of its kind and is aimed at a broad non-specialist audience. It argues that Catholic buildings in England and Wales have been undervalued and overlooked despite major achievement in terms of design and originality and their obvious contribution to British architecture.
Bishop Declan Lang said,“A church is more than a building – it is a liturgical space in which the community of the Church gathers to celebrate the presence of God. Our churches should say something both about the mystery of God and the nearness of God. The architecture says something about how the Church community reflects upon God and understands the relationship between God and humanity.
“I am delighted that some of our churches in the Clifton Diocese have been chosen as examples of how churches can raise peoples’ eyes to Heaven and still keep them focused in the Earth.”
A Glimpse of Heaven was launched at St Alphege Church in Bath by Francis Kelly, English Heritage Project Officer; Canon Michael English, St Alphege Parish Priest and Father Tom Gunning, Parish Priest of St John the Evangelist and Roman Catholic Dean of Bath.
Commenting on the launch of A Glimpse of Heaven, English Heritage’s Regional Director for the South West, Dr Robert Bewley, said, “I am delighted to celebrate the publication of this book about our finest Catholic buildings, many of which are in the South West. What this book illustrates is that Catholic buildings have a quite separate history and development of their own.”
“In the West we have many wonderful examples of Catholic buildings ranging from St Mary’s Chapel at Lulworth Castle, the first free-standing Roman Catholic Chapel to be built in England since the Reformation to the modern materials and technology boasted by the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in Bristol.”
In his foreword to the book, His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, who was educated at Bath’s Prior Park College, writes, “I have always been susceptible to the beauty of art and architecture. I believe that good architecture can be a bridge to religious experience. However, I do not consider myself an architectural expert which is why this book, intended for the non specialist reader, is such a revelation. The Catholic heritage in this country is in many ways a hidden heritage, under-sung and under-appreciated…this book is a testimony to the renewed interest and sense of pride in its heritage which the Catholic community has developed in recent years.”
‘A Glimpse of Heaven: Catholic Churches of England and Wales’ is published by English Heritage and priced at £25.00. It can be ordered by calling 01767 452966 or by email ehsales@gillards.com. ISBN: 1 85074 9701.
Useful URL : http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
‘A Glimpse of Heaven’ features several places of worship in the Clifton Diocese as well as the Cathedral. They are Wardour Castle Chapel, Tisbury; St John the Evangelist, South Parade, Bath; Downside Abbey Church of St Gregory the Great, Stratton-on-the-Fosse and St Alphege, Oldfield Park, Bath.
‘A Glimpse of Heaven’ is written by Christopher Martin and is wonderfully illustrated by the by Alex Ramsay’s photography. It is the first of its kind and is aimed at a broad non-specialist audience. It argues that Catholic buildings in England and Wales have been undervalued and overlooked despite major achievement in terms of design and originality and their obvious contribution to British architecture.
Bishop Declan Lang said,“A church is more than a building – it is a liturgical space in which the community of the Church gathers to celebrate the presence of God. Our churches should say something both about the mystery of God and the nearness of God. The architecture says something about how the Church community reflects upon God and understands the relationship between God and humanity.
“I am delighted that some of our churches in the Clifton Diocese have been chosen as examples of how churches can raise peoples’ eyes to Heaven and still keep them focused in the Earth.”
A Glimpse of Heaven was launched at St Alphege Church in Bath by Francis Kelly, English Heritage Project Officer; Canon Michael English, St Alphege Parish Priest and Father Tom Gunning, Parish Priest of St John the Evangelist and Roman Catholic Dean of Bath.
Commenting on the launch of A Glimpse of Heaven, English Heritage’s Regional Director for the South West, Dr Robert Bewley, said, “I am delighted to celebrate the publication of this book about our finest Catholic buildings, many of which are in the South West. What this book illustrates is that Catholic buildings have a quite separate history and development of their own.”
“In the West we have many wonderful examples of Catholic buildings ranging from St Mary’s Chapel at Lulworth Castle, the first free-standing Roman Catholic Chapel to be built in England since the Reformation to the modern materials and technology boasted by the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul in Bristol.”
In his foreword to the book, His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor, who was educated at Bath’s Prior Park College, writes, “I have always been susceptible to the beauty of art and architecture. I believe that good architecture can be a bridge to religious experience. However, I do not consider myself an architectural expert which is why this book, intended for the non specialist reader, is such a revelation. The Catholic heritage in this country is in many ways a hidden heritage, under-sung and under-appreciated…this book is a testimony to the renewed interest and sense of pride in its heritage which the Catholic community has developed in recent years.”
‘A Glimpse of Heaven: Catholic Churches of England and Wales’ is published by English Heritage and priced at £25.00. It can be ordered by calling 01767 452966 or by email ehsales@gillards.com. ISBN: 1 85074 9701.
Useful URL : http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
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