Westminster Cathedral

We spent a fascinating afternoon in Westminster Cathedral with an expert on 20th century architecture and decorative arts.  This is the Catholic Cathedral, just down the road from the Church of England Abbey (which of course was "Catholic" before the Reformation).

It was built as a brick shell in the shape of a Byzantine basilica between 1895-1903.  The Cardinal at the time wanted the building to be completed as soon as possible and to be decorated later as there was money available.  Only one chapel was finished in his lifetime, lined with different coloured marbles and mosaics that could have been in Ravenna.  Chapels and marble and mosaics are still being added and the cathedral is about half finished inside.

The Stations of the Cross are by Eric Gill.  Of course he is completely ostracised today because of his private life, but he spent the whole period of the First World War on the 14 panels which are masterpieces.  This is "IX. Jesus falls a Third Time".

In the extra is the sacristan who was delighted to show us some of the precious items in this care, including this silver mitre which the bishops hate wearing because it is so stiff and heavy.