Continuing on with posting about our trip to Great Britain last fall, today I'd like to take you to Glasgow Cathedral in Scotland. We toured Stirling Castle earlier in the day and next on our itinerary is to drive into Glasgow and visit the cathedral. Did you know it's really not a cathedral? It's kind of an honorary term bestowed on this church before the Scottish Reformation. Even though the church did house the Archbishop of Glasgow in its earlier days and was considered a cathedral it's not technically a cathedral today because it hasn't housed a bishop since 1690.
The church has been known by many names. High Kirk of Glasgow or Saint Kentigern's or Saint Mungo's Cathedral and today is known as The Church of Scotland of Glasgow. The current congregation is part of the The Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Glasgow.
Whenever we visit a house of worship, we both are struck with the majesty and awe that fills our hearts. The first stone built Glasgow Cathedral was dedicated in 1136 in the presence of King David I. The present building was consecrated in 1197. There has been continuous worship of God for 800 years in the cathedral. The building itself is under the ownership of the Crown, but is maintained by Heritage Scotland.
The inside is quite dark, but added to the reverence of the cathedral. I'm sure on a sunny day these stained glass windows would be even more lovely.
Above is the Moses window in the north aisle.
The Millennium Window above was dedicated in 1999 by H.R.H. The Princess Royal, Anne. John C. Clark was a student and guest lecturer at The Glasgow School of Art. He was selected to paint the glass under the careful direction of Historic Scotland. The design theme is GROWTH. The funding of the project involved three local schools.
I always remind myself when visiting cathedrals that most folks didn't read when these houses of worship were constructed. Most everything in them tells the Bible in visual form.
The above arms is from the Stuart dynasty of Scotland from the reign of James VI. This motto appeared on the merk coins minted in 1578 and 1580. It is also the motto of three British Army Scottish Regiments called, Order of the Thistle. Meaning - No one can harm me unpunished. This motto is seen throughout Scotland.
Leaving Glasgow Cathedral we walked back to our car and spotted this old phone booth. It was a Wi-Fi hot spot. So clever.
It's a striking contrast to having just visited a 800 year old cathedral!
Our drive "home" was pleasant and lovely. The rainy day ended with the sun shining on us.
The church has been known by many names. High Kirk of Glasgow or Saint Kentigern's or Saint Mungo's Cathedral and today is known as The Church of Scotland of Glasgow. The current congregation is part of the The Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Glasgow.
Whenever we visit a house of worship, we both are struck with the majesty and awe that fills our hearts. The first stone built Glasgow Cathedral was dedicated in 1136 in the presence of King David I. The present building was consecrated in 1197. There has been continuous worship of God for 800 years in the cathedral. The building itself is under the ownership of the Crown, but is maintained by Heritage Scotland.
The inside is quite dark, but added to the reverence of the cathedral. I'm sure on a sunny day these stained glass windows would be even more lovely.
Above is the Moses window in the north aisle.
The Millennium Window above was dedicated in 1999 by H.R.H. The Princess Royal, Anne. John C. Clark was a student and guest lecturer at The Glasgow School of Art. He was selected to paint the glass under the careful direction of Historic Scotland. The design theme is GROWTH. The funding of the project involved three local schools.
I always remind myself when visiting cathedrals that most folks didn't read when these houses of worship were constructed. Most everything in them tells the Bible in visual form.
The above arms is from the Stuart dynasty of Scotland from the reign of James VI. This motto appeared on the merk coins minted in 1578 and 1580. It is also the motto of three British Army Scottish Regiments called, Order of the Thistle. Meaning - No one can harm me unpunished. This motto is seen throughout Scotland.
Leaving Glasgow Cathedral we walked back to our car and spotted this old phone booth. It was a Wi-Fi hot spot. So clever.
It's a striking contrast to having just visited a 800 year old cathedral!
Our drive "home" was pleasant and lovely. The rainy day ended with the sun shining on us.
Even though I am only seeing this magnificent cathedral in picture, I, like you, am struck with awe. What talent there was to build something so beautiful 800 years ago.
ReplyDeleteTo think these cathedrals were built with pulleys and levers and no machinery as we have today is astounding. Thank you for coming along with us Chip Butter. ♥
DeleteAlways learn something new in your posts... What amazing architecture...kirk...beautiful drawing of the eyes upward. Cute little phone become also Wi-Fi booth. I like that the traditional, iconic phone booth has been kept. I don’t know when I last saw a phone booth here.
ReplyDeleteVee, walking into a cathedral reminds me how small I am and how great our God is.
DeleteA lot of old phone booths in England have been converted to defibrillator stations. I haven't seen any old phone booths here either. ♥
Wow.. what an amazing structure! I loved each and every photo you shared. I will likely never see it myself so I really appreciate you sharing it with us all. I'm happy for you that you got to go there yourself. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teresa for sharing our trip with us. It was a dream come true to visit Scotland. ♥
DeleteI love ecclesiastic architecture and what a lovely trip this has been to such a magnificent building. Love the juxtaposition of "ancient and modern" {to quote the hymn book, of course!} and a lovely rainbow to welcome you "home" again.
ReplyDelete~~~Waving~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
It's truly humbling for me to walk into a cathedral so ancient, Deb. I must say the rainbows we viewed in Britain were just amazing! Wishing you rainbows at the end of all rainy days. xoxo ♥
DeleteYou certainly had some wonderful experiences over there. That is a wonderful cathedral and it blows me away that it was built so long ago! I sure have been enjoying taking this trip with you. I’m so impressed with all that you two took in- you really had a great plan. What a special moment it must have been to see that rainbow at the end of your day.
ReplyDeleteThank you Liz for sharing our trip with us. It's been fun reliving it with all of you. I can't believe how long it's taking me to post about this trip. We went solid for four weeks and visited amazing spots. More to come in the future. ♥
DeleteThe rainbow at the end says it all! Those ancient "cathedrals" would be an amazing feat even now with our technology. When you consider when they were built I am in awe. I learned something today when you mentioned Saint Kentigern. The beach house we've stayed in several times in Scotland, Maryland is named Kentigern! I've always wondered why the owner named it such an odd (to me) name. Now it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteCathy, as we traveled all over Britain, it became evident to us that all the names and places we visited were named again in America. Many immigrants wanted the familiar, I presume. Being the patron saint of Glasgow, Saint Kentigern (also known as Saint Mungo) would have been special to settlers in Scotland, MD. ♥
DeleteI did not know that about the term cathedral. As Vee says, we always learn from your posts. It looks like a cathedral to me, but I think I was thinking size, design and beauty. Thanks for all the beautiful stain glass photos. And smiling at the clever phone booth!
ReplyDeleteOne of the best things about traveling is all the special things we learn. I wish my photos of the stained glass windows were better, but the light was really dark and no flash was allowed. It did add to the quietness and peaceful reverence. ♥
DeleteBeautiful piece of architecture and those stained glass windows are just magnificent! Love that wi fi booth.
ReplyDeleteHappy Week end
betsy
Most old phone booths in Britain have been converted to defibrillator stations and we saw this one Wi Fi hot spot. Very clever those lovely Brits!
DeleteHave a great weekend, Betsy. ♥
Beautiful!! What a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteSue
It's quite humbling to walk into such a beautiful house of worship. ♥
DeleteI enjoyed your post reading and seeing all about Glasgow Cathedral. Such a magnificent building and I love the stained glass windows.
ReplyDeleteThat rainbow in your last photograph is beautiful.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. It's amazing to view buildings so ancient. ♥
DeleteHi that is so beautiful and i love old churches and cathedrals..we are surrounded by small old churches where i live..we have a huge one as well St Wulframs..with a chained library and it had the biggest spire in the country when it was first built..it always amazes me that these beautiful buildings were built hundreds of years ago and with basic tools compared to modern standards..yet they are lasting longer than some newer buildings..
ReplyDeleteso glad you enjoed your trip i am looking forward to more
sara
Sara, I'm glad you stopped for a visit. You have so many lovely old churches and cathedrals in England! I looked up St Wulframs and it looks gorgeous. Maybe one day we will have to visit there. I too am amazed at the building practices--simple tools and pulleys and levers! Amazing! I hope to visit with you soon. ♥
DeleteWhen I was in Scotland five years ago, we missed getting inside the cathedral by five minutes! Thank you for sharing your photos!
ReplyDeleteOh my, that is disappointing you missed viewing this beauty, Deanna. I hope you can return one day. ♥
DeleteIt looks like you had an amazing experience at the Cathedral! Have a great weekend!
ReplyDelete