July 3, 2024
Westminster Cathedral
A small glimpse at a very small part of Westminster Cathedral
The entrance tympanum with mosaic designed by Robert Anning Bell
Westminster Cathedral is the largest Roman Catholic church in England and Wales and the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.
Designed by John Francis Bentley in the 9th century. The building is in the neo-Byzantine style and made almost entirely of brick without steel reinforcements. Sir John Betjeman called it “a masterpiece in striped brick and stone” that shows “the good craftsman has no need of steel or concrete.”
The cathedral was built between 1895 and 1903, and the interiors are yet to be finished. When the architect John Bentley died in 1903, he left no complete designs for the interior beyond saying that he intended there to be mosaics. So much of the ceiling is still plain London stock brick that is dark with age.
The chapels, on the other hand, are well adorned.
Holy Souls Chapel
The mosaics in this chapel were created in 1902-03 by William Christian Symons.
Holy Souls Chapel
St. Andrews Chapel
Chairs in St. Andrews Chapel
The chandelier in St. Andrews Chapel
The round ball above the chandelier is an Ostrich egg. The lamp was originally oil, and the egg was used to keep the rats from running down the chains and consuming the oil.
A small part of the mosaic in St Andrews chapel I found humorous done by George Jack Meo
The donor of the mosaics in St. Andrews was the Fourth Marquess of Bute.
Chapel of St Gregory and St Augustine
This is the mosaic in the great apse. It depicts Christ enthroned in Heaven on the great rainbow throne, with his feet resting on the globe of the earth as his footstool. He is flanked by the four cherubim/evangelists: Man/Matthew (UL), Lion/Mark (LL), Eagle/John (UR), and Bull/Luke (LR).
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There are eight columns of yellow Verona marble 15 feet high, supporting the Baldacchino over the high altar.
The mosaics of the Lady Chapel were designed by Gilbert Pownall
Mosaic arch in the Lady’s Chapel
Near the Lady’s Chapel is this Second World War memorial to the Royal Canadian Air Force. Hundreds of flat-headed nails pick out the Chi Rho while showing the plan of a wartime airfield.
The foot of the crypt of Cardinal Wiseman, the first Archbishop of Westminster. The head of the dragon is consuming his staff.
The Cathedral is overwhelming. It’s mosaics and marble floors are worth spending some very serious time studying.