Virgin & Child
Detail of one of the three windows in the apsidal Walsingham Chapel off the north transept. Following bomb damage in World War II the window was re-glazed by John Hardman Studios in the 1950s with a design based on their damaged original, employing some especially vigorous drawing and stylization for some of the main figurative elements.
Norwich is already renowned for it's superb ancient Romanesque Cathedral, what non-locals tend to forget is that the city also possesses one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival in the country in it's Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Entirely funded by the Duke of Norfolk, the church only achieved cathedral status in 1976, though given the size and majesty of the building it is difficult to imagine it was ever anything less.
This great church was built between 1884-1910 to the design of George Gilbert Scott Jnr (finished by his brother John Oldrid Scott after his death in 1897). It is widely admired and considered one of the most successful of the thousand of Victorian reinterpretations of the Gothic style, showing a scholarly knowledge of medieval architecture and an attention to detail that were it not for the sharper condition of it's stonework this could be mistaken for an authentic 13th century church. This may sound like a praise of pastiche, but it is more than that, for I genuinely believe no other post-Reformation church so successfully captures the spirit of the middle ages as this one does.
It is built on a traditional cruciform plan, with square central tower and transepts. The style evokes 13th century Early English gothic throughout, with dark marble accents and pilasters emulating the purbeck used in ancient churches. There are fine carvings of medieval inspired beasts and grotesques decorating the plinths of all the main columns throughout the cathedral.
The stained glass throughout follows in this 13th century vein, mostly being the work of John Hardman Powell of the Hardman Studios, Birmingham. The strong reds and blues and medallion scenes are inspired by French gothic examples (eg Chartres), adding to the authentic antiquarian feel of the interior. (The glass in the north transept and apsidal Walsingham Chapel had to be recreated after bomb damage in World War II). The aisle windows are a remarkable exercise in grisaille, grey and green in tone with geometric patterns, an attractive alternative to mere plain glazing that subdues rather than sacrifices the light.
In any other city this cathedral would be the major landmark, and it's elevated position to the west of the centre means that it is often mistaken for Norwich's original cathedral. The city therefore has a claim to be the finest repository of ecclesiastical architecture in Britain, with an unrivalled collection of over 30 medieval parish churches, a former monastic church and two first rate cathedrals from different ends of the historical spectrum.
For a fuller entry on this remarkable building see the Norfolk Churches website below:-
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/norwichcatholic/norwichcatholic...
Virgin & Child
Detail of one of the three windows in the apsidal Walsingham Chapel off the north transept. Following bomb damage in World War II the window was re-glazed by John Hardman Studios in the 1950s with a design based on their damaged original, employing some especially vigorous drawing and stylization for some of the main figurative elements.
Norwich is already renowned for it's superb ancient Romanesque Cathedral, what non-locals tend to forget is that the city also possesses one of the finest examples of Victorian Gothic Revival in the country in it's Roman Catholic Cathedral of St John the Baptist. Entirely funded by the Duke of Norfolk, the church only achieved cathedral status in 1976, though given the size and majesty of the building it is difficult to imagine it was ever anything less.
This great church was built between 1884-1910 to the design of George Gilbert Scott Jnr (finished by his brother John Oldrid Scott after his death in 1897). It is widely admired and considered one of the most successful of the thousand of Victorian reinterpretations of the Gothic style, showing a scholarly knowledge of medieval architecture and an attention to detail that were it not for the sharper condition of it's stonework this could be mistaken for an authentic 13th century church. This may sound like a praise of pastiche, but it is more than that, for I genuinely believe no other post-Reformation church so successfully captures the spirit of the middle ages as this one does.
It is built on a traditional cruciform plan, with square central tower and transepts. The style evokes 13th century Early English gothic throughout, with dark marble accents and pilasters emulating the purbeck used in ancient churches. There are fine carvings of medieval inspired beasts and grotesques decorating the plinths of all the main columns throughout the cathedral.
The stained glass throughout follows in this 13th century vein, mostly being the work of John Hardman Powell of the Hardman Studios, Birmingham. The strong reds and blues and medallion scenes are inspired by French gothic examples (eg Chartres), adding to the authentic antiquarian feel of the interior. (The glass in the north transept and apsidal Walsingham Chapel had to be recreated after bomb damage in World War II). The aisle windows are a remarkable exercise in grisaille, grey and green in tone with geometric patterns, an attractive alternative to mere plain glazing that subdues rather than sacrifices the light.
In any other city this cathedral would be the major landmark, and it's elevated position to the west of the centre means that it is often mistaken for Norwich's original cathedral. The city therefore has a claim to be the finest repository of ecclesiastical architecture in Britain, with an unrivalled collection of over 30 medieval parish churches, a former monastic church and two first rate cathedrals from different ends of the historical spectrum.
For a fuller entry on this remarkable building see the Norfolk Churches website below:-
www.norfolkchurches.co.uk/norwichcatholic/norwichcatholic...