Manchester Cathedral, originally the Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George, has stood in place for hundreds of years, watching the rivers Irk and Irwell race by. It has seen many changes throughout its history, not least the changing of its surroundings as modern buildings rise around it, taking the place of old ones. Only the nearby Chetham’s Library seems to have accompanied the cathedral through the centuries.
Just glance at some of the windows in this majestic cathedral and you will immediately see that these are not the cathedral’s original windows. Neither are they the Victorian stained-glass windows which once adorned the cathedral – these were destroyed, along with the north-eastern corner of the cathedral, during the Manchester Blitz of 1940.
More recently, the Fire Window in the Regiment Chapel had to be reconstructed having been destroyed after an IRA bomb exploded nearby in 1996. I found the Fire Window very effective. Whether by design or just by accident, a tree stands outside the window and I thought that it helped give the effect that the flames were moving when the leaves and branches moved to and fro in the wind.
The Revelation Window (one of five by artist Antony Hollaway) was commissioned in 1995. Look carefully at the green portion of the window in the bottom right-hand corner and you will see the names of its creators etched in the glass.
Behind a statue of Sir Humphrey Chetham, sits The Hope Window by Alan Davis. This is the newest window in the cathedral, having been completed in 2016, and the abstract design of the window revolves around hope, innovation, growth and new light.
The Creation Window (installed in 1991) is another by Antony Hollaway, sitting in the west of the outer south aisle.
Another window by Antony Hollaway is the St George Window (installed in 1972). It depicts the red cross of St George and the dragon’s upswept tail.
The St Denys Window (installed in 1976), also by Antony Hollaway, sits in the west window of the outer north aisle. St Denys is one of the three patron saints of the cathedral.
Antony Hollaway’s St Mary Window (installed in 1980) sits above the doorway in the tower wall. You cannot see them in this picture, but the glass contains words which when re-assembled make up verses from the Magnificat.
The East Window, the first stained glass window to be replaced after the Manchester Blitz, whilst in keeping with many church windows, is perhaps rather bland compared to the windows that would follow it. The window is in memory of Henry Boddington (1849 – 1925) and depicts John Byrom, Thomas Langley, Saint Aidan, Jesus Christ, Saint Chad, Hugh Oldham and Humphrey Chetham.
The Healing Window by Linda Walton was installed in 2004 to commemorate the restoration of the cathedral which took place after being damaged by the 1996 IRA bomb.
1996 wouldn’t be the last time Manchester would be rocked by a bomb. In 2017, just a short distance away from the cathedral, the Manchester Arena bombing took the lives of 22 concert-goers and parents who were waiting at the entrance at the end of the concert. Many others were injured. A garden memorial, The Glade of Light, commemorating the 22 victims sits just outside the cathedral.
40 Comments
tomthebackroadstraveller
…the windows are gorgeous!
Kelly
I think stained glass is gorgeous whether ancient or modern. I bet the movement from the tree outside the flame window is incredible!
Nikki
I wish I had videoed it now! Maybe next time I’m there.
Kim Carberry
This is such a beautiful building. The Fire Window is stunning and I really like the The Creation Window too. How interesting to read all about the cathedral. x
Vicki
That is a very beautiful cathedral, and I love all the stained glass!
Kris P
That’s an incredibly beautiful cathedral, Nikki. You don’t find windows like that often here.
somewhereinireland
Wow, the cathedral is absolutely beautiful and the windows are stunning.
Ginnie Hart
I would be in heaven visiting that cathedral, Nikki. Seriously! Stained glass windows have always intrigued me but when there are so many different kinds within the same structure, it’s like hitting the jackpot. You had me at the Fire Window after describing what it looked like with the moving branches behind it!
Nikki
I’m planning on a second post about Manchester Cathedral as I have more photos. It really is a wonderful place to visit.
Eastside Cats
Beautiful artwork!
I have a friend who lives in Manchester; wonder if he’s ever visited the cathedral?
Eunice Ratcliffe
You got some great photos here Nikki, especially the Fire Window, the colours are stunning 🙂
Eunice Ratcliffe
P.S. I remember a couple of years ago you mentioned on someone else’s blog that you had previously read and enjoyed The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry (I enjoyed it immensely) I don’t know if you already know or seen the tv adverts but there’s now a film of the book, if you’re interested it’s in the cinemas from the 28th of this month.
Nikki
I caught a glimpse of the trailer the other day. It’s a great read, I hope the film lives up to the book.
Nikki
Thank you. I’m planning on doing a second post about the cathedral as I have more photos.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Those are amazing.
lisl
Thank you for sharing, Nikki. I love good modern glass, and would never have the chance of seeing this
Yvonne (@Fiction_Books)
This is definitely heading for my visiting list if we are ever up that way. I love stained glass because of the connection my family has with the profession and I too think that the Fire Window is beautiful.
We recently visited Romsey Abbey in Hampshire, where they have had a modern stained glass window of Florence Nightingale installed, amongst their more traditional windows. The custodians were chatting to us about their horror and reticence of taking delivery of such a modern piece, but all agreed that when they actually saw it in situ. they really loved it!
Just a confirmation that traditional and modern can co-exist quite happily together.
https://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/the-calling-window-romsey-abbey-hampshire/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-54466201
Hope you had a peaceful Easter Weekend 🙂
Nikki
There’s just something about stained glass. That’s a very interesting window.
Denise Bush
What beautiful windows and cathedral! Excellent post and photos!
Nikki
Thank you!
Anca
I haven’t been to the cathedral, despite going regularly to Manchester. I need to visit it, because it’s gorgeous.
Alan Rolfe
We are blessed with our fine cathedrals. I’ve not seen this one for myself but looks to be worth a visit when I’m in the city.
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
I love stained glass – I even took a class in it so I could create some of my own – I ended up doing staircase inserts of lilies that came out amazingly well – not on the grand scale of these though!
Nikki
I keep meaning to do a stained glass workshop as there’s someone fairly local who does them. I really must find the time! I would love to see what you created.
Ann
Those modern stained glass windows are stunning, Nikki. They do remind me of very similar ones I saw in a church in Bergues (France) last year! xxx
Lauren
It looks like a beautiful place to visit. You have taken some great pictures. Thank you for sharing.
Nikki
Thank you!
Carol
a beautiful church with amazing windows
DeniseinVA
The cathedral is in such a beautiful setting and your photos inside and out were fabulous. Thanks so much for sharing them.
Sharon
Your photos really bring out the gorgeous colours in those windows. X
CherryPie
The windows are stunning.
Johanna Bradley
What a wonderful tour of the windows, Nikki. I’m so glad I stopped by. Manchester isn’t a place that calls to me much but if ever I’m there I’ll make sure to visit the cathedral.
Beverley
I have not been to the Manchester cathedral yet but there are some very beautiful stained glass windows there. The fire window is stunning.
Jo
How sad that all the original windows were destroyed in the Blitz, and very sad too that Manchester is still being plagued by bombs. The windows are beautiful, I do love stained glass.
Lisa’s Notebook
Wow, these are just stunning, and the history behind each one is so interesting too. My favourites are the Hope and the Healing windows.
Diana Studer
My niece was gifted with a small stained glass plaque of a swallow, her favourite bird, for a round birthday. We love stained glass – something about the colour and the light – even better when the art is modern and speaks to us.
Kezzie
Ah, they are SUCH beautiful windows! Wow!!! I love the designs so much. The fire one is my favourite!x
Pit
I LOVE those windows!
Malc
You have some wonderful pictures here. Thanks for sharing them.
Pingback: