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Southwark Cathedral

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Southwark Cathedral Organ, T.C. Lewis 1897, Willis III 1952, Harrison &amp; Harrison 1991 <br><br> Lewis &amp; Co. of south London built the main organ for the cathedral in 1897. “Thomas Christopher Lewis, the company's founder, was renowned for building instruments that had a bright, vibrant tone which, in part, was due to his use of low wind pressures. Consequently, he was somewhat out-of-step with the trend at the time, which was tending towards high wind pressures and rather thicker tone," <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/worship/music-and-choirs#organs">according to the church website.</a> Noted Victorian architect Arthur Blomfield designed the case. <br><br> “Apart from routine maintenance, the instrument remained untouched until 1952, when Henry Willis &amp; Son undertook a major rebuild, during which the wind pressures were increased.” <br><br> “Some years after the rebuild it was thought that the Willis changes, though undoubtedly well-intentioned, detracted too much from the original concept, so the decision was taken to restore the instrument to the Lewis specifications. The Durham-based firm of Harrison and Harrison was engaged and the work was carried out in two stages.” The first stage was in 1986 and the second was in 1991. The church website provides technical details which are beyond my comprehension.
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Southwark Cathedral Organ, T.C. Lewis 1897, Willis III 1952, Harrison & Harrison 1991

Lewis & Co. of south London built the main organ for the cathedral in 1897. “Thomas Christopher Lewis, the company's founder, was renowned for building instruments that had a bright, vibrant tone which, in part, was due to his use of low wind pressures. Consequently, he was somewhat out-of-step with the trend at the time, which was tending towards high wind pressures and rather thicker tone," according to the church website. Noted Victorian architect Arthur Blomfield designed the case.

“Apart from routine maintenance, the instrument remained untouched until 1952, when Henry Willis & Son undertook a major rebuild, during which the wind pressures were increased.”

“Some years after the rebuild it was thought that the Willis changes, though undoubtedly well-intentioned, detracted too much from the original concept, so the decision was taken to restore the instrument to the Lewis specifications. The Durham-based firm of Harrison and Harrison was engaged and the work was carried out in two stages.” The first stage was in 1986 and the second was in 1991. The church website provides technical details which are beyond my comprehension.

SouthwarkCathedralLewisandorganLondon

  • Southwark Cathedral Nave <br><br> Southwark Cathedral in Southwark, London, is on the south bank of the River Thames near the London Bridge. It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark and has been a place of Christian worship for more than 1,000 years, according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwark_Cathedral">Wikipedia.</a> <br><br> Prior to the church, the site was a Roman villa, according to the <a href="http://www.southwark.anglican.org/cathedral/tour/history1.htm">Southwark website.</a> In 1977, a pagan statue from the fourth century was discovered beneath the church. <br><br> “The present building retains the basic form of the Gothic structure built between 1220 and 1420, although the nave is a late 19th-century reconstruction. <br><br> The Great Fire of 1212 badly damaged the church. Only a few traces of the Norman church remain today, including a doorway in the north side of the nave. “Rebuilding took place during the thirteenth century, although the exact dates are unknown. In its reconstructed state - the basic layout of which survives today - the church was cruciform in plan, with an aisled nave of six bays, a crossing tower, transepts, and a five bay choir,” according to Wikipedia. <br><br> “In the 1390s, the church was again damaged by fire, and in around 1420 the Bishop of Winchester Henry Beaufort, assisted with the rebuilding of the south transept and the completion of the tower. During the 15th century the parochial chapel was rebuilt, and the nave and north transept were given wooden vaults following the collapse of the stone ceiling in 1469. Some of the carved bosses from the vault (destroyed in the 19th century) are preserved in the cathedral.” <br><br> William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer worshipped at Southwark Cathedral. Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John Harvard, founder of the American university, was baptized here in 1607 according to <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/london-southwark-cathedral">Sacred Destinations</a>
  • Southwark Cathedral West Window Depicting Creation by Henry Holiday <br><br> The west window depicts Creation by Henry Holiday. The text under the creator in the center panel reads, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." The text at the base of the center light is the response of created things: "Oh, all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord, praise Him, and magnify Him for ever." <br><br> Christ is seated in the upper part of the central light and in His hand is the Universe with adoring Seraphim on either side with words "Let the Heavens rejoice and the Earth be glad." Cherubim with scrolls bear the words "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts." <br><br> The center part of the three lights are represented by the six Days of Creation with each day enclosed in a circle. The first Day shows the Spirit of God moving upon the face of the waters; second Day shows a firmament dividing the waters above and below; third Day presents the division of Land and Water; fourth Day shows the creation of the heavenly bodies; fifth Day gives the waters bringing forth life; and the sixth Day presents Adam and Eve with a lion and an ox. <br><br> I obtained information on this window from <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=GLwaAAAAYAAJ&amp;pg=PA250&amp;lpg=PA250&amp;dq=southwark+cathedral+henry+holiday&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=zrg8OQbW4m&amp;sig=wxuzfStD5blo-SS3gWygEIAeUDE&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=Dls4U658pq6wBLKLgIgP&amp;ved=0CE8Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&amp;q=southwark%20cathedral%20henry%20holiday&amp;f=false">Southwark Cathedral by William Thompson.</a> <br><br> Thompson writes of the window: "The details exhibit much originality of thought and treatment, and will amply repay the closest study. Ten minutes in the triforium passage, which runs in front of it, would not be time misspent. Opinions will differ widely as to the artistic merits and effectiveness of this window. The subject, on account of its vastness, was an extremely difficult one to treat in the narrow spaces of three lancet lights." <br><br> Henry Holiday (1839-1927) was an English historical genre and landscape painter, stained glass designer, illustrator, and sculptor. He is considered to be a member of the Pre-Raphaelite school of art, according to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Holiday">Wikipedia.</a> <br><br> Holiday was born in London and at age 15 was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship with several artists there, he was introduced to artists of the "Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood". This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and political life. From Wikipedia: “The group's intention was to reform art by rejecting what it considered the mechanistic approach first adopted by Mannerist artists who succeeded Raphael and Michelangelo. Its members believed the Classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael in particular had been a corrupting influence on the academic teaching of art, hence the name "Pre-Raphaelite".” <br><br> In 1861, Holiday accepted the job of stained glass window designer for Powell's Glass Works. During his time there he fulfilled over 300 commissions, mostly for customers in the U.S. He left in 1891 to set up his own glass works in Hampstead, producing stained glass, mosaics, enamels and sacerdotal objects. <br><br> Holiday's stained glass work can be found all over Britain and some of his best is at Westminster Abbey according to Wikipedia. <br><br> In addition to his stained glass work, Holiday was a painter; his works include The Burgess of Calais, The Rhine Maiders, Dante and Beatrice. He was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate The Hunting of the Snark. He remained friends with the author throughout his life.
  • Southwark Cathedral Organ, T.C. Lewis 1897, Willis III 1952, Harrison &amp; Harrison 1991 <br><br> Lewis &amp; Co. of south London built the main organ for the cathedral in 1897. “Thomas Christopher Lewis, the company's founder, was renowned for building instruments that had a bright, vibrant tone which, in part, was due to his use of low wind pressures. Consequently, he was somewhat out-of-step with the trend at the time, which was tending towards high wind pressures and rather thicker tone," <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/worship/music-and-choirs#organs">according to the church website.</a> Noted Victorian architect Arthur Blomfield designed the case. <br><br> “Apart from routine maintenance, the instrument remained untouched until 1952, when Henry Willis &amp; Son undertook a major rebuild, during which the wind pressures were increased.” <br><br> “Some years after the rebuild it was thought that the Willis changes, though undoubtedly well-intentioned, detracted too much from the original concept, so the decision was taken to restore the instrument to the Lewis specifications. The Durham-based firm of Harrison and Harrison was engaged and the work was carried out in two stages.” The first stage was in 1986 and the second was in 1991. The church website provides technical details which are beyond my comprehension.
  • Southwark Cathedral Screen and Reredos <br><br> Bishop Fox of Winchester erected the screen and reredos in 1520. Although the general appearance of the screen, with three broad rich bands of carvings and statuary, is that of the original, most of the detail is from later periods, according to <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visit/area-3">according to the church website.</a> <br><br> “Whether all the original statues were ever installed is uncertain, as the screen was completed within a decade of the Reformation when such statues were forbidden. The small carvings of the Lamb of God and the pelican (a badge of Bishop Fox) immediately above the rows of angels are probably original, as are some of the bases of the niches. The small carvings in the corners of the two doorways, showing hunting scenes, may also be original.” <br><br> In 1703 the screen was concealed by a painted wooden screen with the Lord's Prayer, Creed, the Ten Commandments, a dove descending with a group of cherubs 'heads' and topped with flaming urns. This screen was removed in 1833, and the niches restored and three rows of carved angels added. The statues were added from 1905 onwards and depict people with an historical connection to Southwark.” <br><br> The hanging wool strands are an installation called ’40 days’ from artist <a href="http://www.countrysideonline.co.uk/the-magazine/countryside-xtra/woolly-wonders-angela-wright-artist-in-wool/">Angela Wright</a> during Lent 2014. Her installation is made of wool from 40 different countries.
  • Southwark Cathedral Screen and Reredos <br><br> Bishop Fox of Winchester erected the screen and reredos in 1520. Although the general appearance of the screen, with three broad rich bands of carvings and statuary, is that of the original, most of the detail is from later periods, according to <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visit/area-3">according to the church website.</a> <br><br> “Whether all the original statues were ever installed is uncertain, as the screen was completed within a decade of the Reformation when such statues were forbidden. The small carvings of the Lamb of God and the pelican (a badge of Bishop Fox) immediately above the rows of angels are probably original, as are some of the bases of the niches. The small carvings in the corners of the two doorways, showing hunting scenes, may also be original.” <br><br> In 1703 the screen was concealed by a painted wooden screen with the Lord's Prayer, Creed, the Ten Commandments, a dove descending with a group of cherubs 'heads' and topped with flaming urns. This screen was removed in 1833, and the niches restored and three rows of carved angels added. The statues were added from 1905 onwards and depict people with an historical connection to Southwark.” <br><br> The hanging wool strands are an installation called ’40 days’ from artist <a href="http://www.countrysideonline.co.uk/the-magazine/countryside-xtra/woolly-wonders-angela-wright-artist-in-wool/">Angela Wright</a> during Lent 2014. Her installation is made of wool from 40 different countries.
  • Southward Cathedral, Harvard Chapel Stained Glass Window by John LaFarge <br><br> Founder of Harvard University John Harvard was born in near the church in Southwark. His father was a business associate of Shakespeare’s family and Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John was baptized in the church in 1607, according to <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/london-southwark-cathedral">Sacred Destinations.</a> <br><br> John Harvard is commemorated in the church by the Harvard Chapel, off the North Transept, restored with funds received from members of Harvard University. John was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and graduated in 1635. “The following year he married Anne Sadler and having no relatives left in Southwark, decided to join his brother Puritans to form a godly commonwealth in the New World. <br><br> Arriving in Boston, with his library of 320 volumes, Harvard was admitted a townsman of Charlestown and ministered in the 'First Church'. He was described as a scholar and lover of learning. He died childless in 1638. He left his books (of which only one remains) and half his fortune, £779 17s 2d, to the college of Newtown, a foundation for the 'education of English and Indian youth in knowledge and godliness'. Newtown became Cambridge, Massachusetts and the college became Harvard University" <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visit/area-2">according to the church website.</a> <br><br> Two panels of stained glass windows are the highlight of the chapel. The first is a window given by the then American Ambassador to London, Joseph Choate, in 1905. Depicting the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, it is by American artist John La Farge. It uses a technique of mixing several colors in one piece of opalescent glass. The second shows the Harvard crest (Veritas, Latin for "Verity" or "Truth") and Emmanual College, Cambridge with an inscription “This Window, Damaged During World War 2 By Enemy Bombing, Was Restored In 1948 Through The Generosity of Harvard Alumni In The United States of America.” I don’t know the artist that created the window.
  • Southward Cathedral, Harvard Chapel Stained Glass Window <br><br> Founder of Harvard University John Harvard was born in near the church in Southwark. His father was a business associate of Shakespeare’s family and Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John was baptized in the church in 1607, according to <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/london-southwark-cathedral">Sacred Destinations.</a> <br><br> John Harvard is commemorated in the church by the Harvard Chapel, off the North Transept, restored with funds received from members of Harvard University. John was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and graduated in 1635. “The following year he married Anne Sadler and having no relatives left in Southwark, decided to join his brother Puritans to form a godly commonwealth in the New World. <br><br> Arriving in Boston, with his library of 320 volumes, Harvard was admitted a townsman of Charlestown and ministered in the 'First Church'. He was described as a scholar and lover of learning. He died childless in 1638. He left his books (of which only one remains) and half his fortune, £779 17s 2d, to the college of Newtown, a foundation for the 'education of English and Indian youth in knowledge and godliness'. Newtown became Cambridge, Massachusetts and the college became Harvard University <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visit/area-2">according to the church website.</a> <br><br> Two panels of stained glass windows are the highlight of the chapel. The first is a window given by the then American Ambassador to London, Joseph Choate, in 1905. Depicting the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, it is by an American artist John La Farge. It uses a technique of mixing several colors in one piece of opalescent glass. The second shows the Harvard crest (Veritas, Latin for "Verity" or "Truth") and Emmanuel College, Cambridge with an inscription “This Window, Damaged During World War 2 By Enemy Bombing, Was Restored In 1948 Through The Generosity of Harvard Alumni In The United States of America.” I don’t know the artist that created the window.
  • Southward Cathedral, Harvard Chapel Crest Veritas, Latin for "Verity" or "Truth" <br><br> Founder of Harvard University John Harvard was born in near the church in Southwark. His father was a business associate of Shakespeare’s family and Shakespeare is believed to have been present when John was baptized in the church in 1607, according to <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/london-southwark-cathedral">Sacred Destinations.</a> <br><br> John Harvard is commemorated in the church by the Harvard Chapel, off the North Transept, restored with funds received from members of Harvard University. John was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and graduated in 1635. “The following year he married Anne Sadler and having no relatives left in Southwark, decided to join his brother Puritans to form a godly commonwealth in the New World. <br><br> Arriving in Boston, with his library of 320 volumes, Harvard was admitted a townsman of Charlestown and ministered in the 'First Church'. He was described as a scholar and lover of learning. He died childless in 1638. He left his books (of which only one remains) and half his fortune, £779 17s 2d, to the college of Newtown, a foundation for the 'education of English and Indian youth in knowledge and godliness'. Newtown became Cambridge, Massachusetts and the college became Harvard University <a href="http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/visit/area-2">according to the church website.</a>
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