Coventry in West Midlands, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

The Tower & Spire

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 11, 2018

1. The Tower & Spire Marker

Inscription. The Tower & Spire St Michaels tower was completed in1394 and the Spire in 1433 and today stands at 294 feet. The 14th century Tower was built on the edge of a quarry on poor ground — jumble of rubble in clay with bits of old stone coffins, gravestones and parts of the earlier churches from the site — -and it deteriorated over the centuries. In 1855 a complete restoration was carried out, much of the work done in Yorkshire stone.

The spire was restored with red sandstone from the Runcorn quarries. After restoration, it was described by Alfred J Brookes as follows:
‘The position of the lofty and exquisite steeple does not stand in the centre of the West front of the Church, but a good deal to the South. Sir Christopher Wren declared it a masterpiece in the art of Gothic building, and it is known to be one of Ruskin's ideal structures. It is built from the ground and not, as most Cathedrals, from the body of the Church. The steeple consists of three parts, the tower, the octagon and the spire. The tower is decorated with sculptured canopied niches, filled with figures of saints, kings, confessors and benefactors. It is surmounted by a panelled embattled parapet, having pinnacles at each corner, from which spring flying buttresses, in pairs to the middle octagon. This octagon is a very fine

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conception and the flying arches which spring from the pinnacles are remarkable for their graceful character.”

A further restoration took place in 1977

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion.

Location. 52° 24.477′ N, 1° 30.475′ W. Marker is in Coventry, England, in West Midlands. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Bayley Lane and St Mary Street, on the left when traveling north. Located in the Coventry Cathedral Ruins. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Coventry, England CV1 5RJ, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Home Front Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Ruined Cathedral Church of St Michael (a few steps from this marker); Choir of Survivors (a few steps from this marker); The Guild Chapels (a few steps from this marker); 22 & 23 Bayley Lane (a few steps from this marker); Royal Warwickshire Regiment Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); St Michael’s Baptist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Reconciliation (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coventry.

Also see . . .
1. Coventry Cathedral. (Submitted on October 11, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Coventry Cathedral on Wikipedia

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 11, 2018

2. The Tower & Spire Marker

. (Submitted on October 11, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Small Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 11, 2018

3. Small Marker

The Tower
And Spire Were
Restored in 1977 – 78
Under the Leadership of
A Citizen of Coventry
Kenneth B. Benfield Esq.

The Tower & Spire of St Michaels Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, August 11, 2018

4. The Tower & Spire of St Michaels Cathedral

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 268 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 11, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.