reorganisation and destruction of irish catholic churches
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Here is a beautiful set of pictures to illustrate the Rotunda Hospital Chapel
Aaagh… they simply do not write songs like that any more!
Unfortunately, the only time I ever saw it I did not have the presence of mind to switch on any lights. If there is one space that needs light to appreciate it fully, this is it. That in itself is not without symbolism. For a chapel that would eschew any ‘popish’ connections, it has a remarkably domestic scale of rococo decoration and an expressionist display of aptness and tenderness in the stucco work that I have rarely seen equalled. Yet another (?) undervalued gem in Dublin’s architecture.Johnglas!
Do you know of any proposals to “renovate” the interior of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Glasgow?
This is the sanctuary in Castlecomer church, Co. Kilkenny. Evidently, it got a work over at some stage.
Prax: Yes , there are some proposals not merely to ‘renovate’ the interior, but to extend the sanctuary area, build some new ancillary accommodation in the form of a ‘cloister’ and otherwise drastically reorder the building. I did e-mail the Administrator (prosaic title) to voice concern at some of the details; he did do me the honour of a reply.
I have very mixed views about the proposals; the building (built 1814-16, Gillespie Graham architect) is badly in need of a makeover. It was neglected for years, no least by Cardinal Winning. The new plans have simply appeared; the new cloister, though welcome, will present a very blank (almost Arabic) facade to the street. The sanctuary will be extended by at least two bays (though the present tripartite apse will be demolished and rebuilt as the ‘new’ apse), and the sanctuary area will be ‘opened up’ (my main concern). In addition, the present Lady Altar (a middling late-19th C crocketted creation) is to be relocated and possibly ‘broken up’ (cf. Newry Cathedral). A pair of parclose screens (themselves the relics of the erstwhile choir stalls) will simply vanish. All the details are sketchy, but I fear the worst. The present state of the cathedral is so dingy that almost anything will look better.
I’ll keep you posted and, in the meantime, I’ll renew my correspondence with Mgr McElroy.Why do they not simply build a new galss box somewhere else? Praxiteles has no time for this kind of pastiche and the current Archbishop’s taste is suspect to say the least.
Songs Of Praise, from Gorton Monastery (not sure its really worth posting, as I feel they could have shown the building off much more and its cheesy to say the least!):
@Praxiteles wrote:
This is the sanctuary in Castlecomer church, Co. Kilkenny. Evidently, it got a work over at some stage.
Talk about pastiche!! And cliche, to boot!
Parts of that chair/cathedra look like they came from side altars, retables, and communion rails. Whoever saw The Finding of the Christ Child in the Temple supporting the arm of a celebrant’s chair?
Dig the crazy bird-cage over the font! Is this a way to trap the Holy Spirit at the epiclesis over the water?
When do the sword-swallowers and the bearded lady show themselves?
And when did green altar cloths gain approval for use in Catholic churches? There is a sick trend which replaces the regular white linen altar cloths with coloured fabrics. Liturgical nutters at their finest.
Clutterama!!
The Isenheim Altar Piece (1515) of Mattias Gruenewald which is regarded as the most important statement of the Northern European Renaissance:
The Crucifixion flanked on the left by St. Sebastian, protector against plague and on the right by St Anthony Abbot, patron of the monastery in Isenheim for which the picture was painted.
Grunewald depicted the figure of Christ in this picture with all the realistic detail of those who died of the plague. On the left of the centre panel, Our Lady supported by St John, teh Evangelist, and Mary Magdalen kneeling. On the right, St John the Baptist and the Lamb of God.
http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/grunewal/2isenhei/index.html
On Palm Sunday, the first Christian church was consecrated in Quater. Given the significance of the move, you would have imagined that an extra special effort could have been amde. While no crosses or Christian insignia can appear ont he external walls -fine gven the circumstances- you would have imagined that some effort wuld have been amde with the interior. BUt…no such luck. $20 million later we have a 2,5000 expandable to 5,000 seater auditorium. I believe that the Emir of Quatar need not have worried one little bit about a CHristian prayer house. The architect involved here made sure taht he got something that even he should be mildly worried about – a completely non-religious space taht could just as easily serve as a music hall.
On the Isenheimer Altar piece:
@Praxiteles wrote:
This is the sanctuary in Castlecomer church, Co. Kilkenny. Evidently, it got a work over at some stage.
I’m wondering if the photographer’s over generous saturation may not be giving the church a fair show.
@ake wrote:
I’m wondering if the photographer’s over generous saturation may not be giving the church a fair show.
any shots perhaps?
Well, here is a conversion story sent to Praxiteles. We now await seeing whether this undertaking will be honoured – or not, as the case may be, in Cobh.
@ake wrote:
Well what do you think of this? Yet another Waterford church, just as modern as the octagons but a good deal more traditional, ‘liturgically’. Also quite economical as you can see. The exterior is actually much better, in a lovely red brick quite red roof tiles.
the exterior http://www.flickr.com/photos/23296461@N04/2348240644/
here’s something very interesting; a large collection of details of the stained glass in SS Peter and Paul, Athlone;
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnmcauley/sets/72157601824128711/
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