Christ Church / Greyfriars

Does anyone have an interior shot of Christ Church (third spire)?

Hi Prof,
The only photo I could find of the interior was from this Historic Coventry site of the ruins after the bomb damage and this photo of the church bell and chair in the ruins (both of which survived and are now found at the new Christ Church in Cheylesmore as shown in this pathe newsreel. Hopefully someone will have better luck finding a photo of the church intact. Luke.

Thank you all for looking but I do not think there is an interior shot.

I may be wrong but I think a shot of the interior may exist as I'm sure I remember on my church's old website, there was a link at the bottom of the "History of Christ Church" page to an interactive image that changed from the old to new church (???); but unfortunately a new website has been made so this page does not work anymore. Will have to ask someone if the image is still about somewhere.

It says interior images in Gutenburg books too but I cannot find the book.

A nice picture of the exterior of Christ Church from "Coventry, its History and Antiquities" compiled by Benjamin Poole and illustrated by W Fred Taunton

And just found this one in ""Coventry up to date" 1896", hope it is what you want Prof

Absolutely Annewiggy, thank you so much. I don't think I have ever seen the interior before. Next month I'm off to N.Germany for 9 days and during that time will take the six hour train journey to Dresden as I want to stand inside the rebuilt Frauenkirche (their equivalent of St. Paul's.) I've been in Dresden twice but not a stone had been raised then to rebuild the church. As I expect you know Coventry, being Dresden's 'Partnerstadt,' gave the Cross that tops the dome. On my first visit I went inside the Hofkirche or Residence (Palace) Church and was deeply moved to read the destruction of Dresden was in 1945 so close to the end of WW2 and Coventry of course destroyed in 1940. It seemed so sad if thought necessary at the time. Anyhow, that aside this interior of Christ Church is a fine picture and thank you so much for finding it. Edited by member, 24th Aug 2014 6:13 pm

Hi All,
a great find Annewiggy (didn't think any photos of the old Christ Church had been published), I had to look at the front of my church (the new Christ Church) to find some old photos. Unfortunately they're not as good quality as your photos as I took them on a mobile camera phone and through glass.
I also saw: a photo of the old Christ Church choir (about 1910) (not good quality due to reflection) Rev. Henry Anton, Vicar of Christ Church 1916-1932. The scorched chair from the old Christ Church. The broken bell with fragments [which can be seen here along side the scorched chair], metal eagle head and 3 memorial plaques found in the ruins of the old Christ Church. Burnt pages found in the remains of the fire damaged church. Sorry about the quality, at some point I'll go with a better camera, Luke.
PS: if anyone's interested about the history of the old and new Christ Church there's a Heritage open day on Saturday 13 September from 10am-4pm at Christ Church, Cheylesmore

Wish you well on your trip The first time we went, the cross was on the ground whilst the rebuilding was under way - see post no.6 here Second time, the Frauenkirche looked like this I found the inside disappointing as what looked like carved features from a distance were actually painted onto the surfaces, giving the impression that it hadn't been financially possible to do "a proper job" I guess the effect is there but I felt rather let down - will be interested to hear your comments after your visit

Thank you for the warning Midland Red re Frauenkirche trompe-l'oeil, though in fairness I think this can often be found in Baroque architecture and may well be a cost-cutting exercise. Perhaps some of the skills are now lost but the good citizens of Dresden must be very delighted to have their Frauenkirche back completing the former skyline pre 1945. I would so have loved to have seen inside St Michael's before the bombing. It is just possible I was taken in there as a babe in arms by my mother in 1938/9 but there is no-one left who could tell me. The wonderful interiors on this Forum give a very good impression just the same. There is a short film of the consecration of the Frauenkirche here Friede sei mit Euch!-18-FF.m4v the second one shows the Coventry Cross of Nails put in place. Edited by member, 24th Aug 2014 10:50 pm

The setting of that building in Dresden looks good as well, I take it all the buildings around it are also reconstructions?

Hi all Thank you all so much for the articles & pictures. I am intrigued by the picture of the book remains, as it does not appear to be scripture. The word "artificer" (someone on the boundaries of magic), as apposed to the todays meaning which is more like a military person, only appears twice in scripture, and does not fit the context of the page remains. Also the chapter X, holds little in the way of clues. Is it a prayer book or book of services I wonder? Any ideas. This is not a quiz, as I am genuinely intrigued.

It appears to be from the King James Bible Philip ECCLESIASTICUS 9:17 Edited by member, 25th Aug 2014 11:39 am

Hi Anne Thank you Anne. I had looked at Ecc 9.17, but could not find the word "artificer". How odd! (Ecc 9:17) The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. King James too.