Coventry Cathedral

Coventry Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Coventry, England, comprising a modern building completed in 1962 and the preserved remains of a Gothic church from the 14th century. The contemporary section rises roughly 100 meters and stands directly beside the open ruins that survived a wartime bombing.

The original medieval church was heavily damaged during a German air raid in November 1940 and largely burned down. Reconstruction began in the 1950s with an entirely new design that left the ruins standing as a memorial.

Named after the archangel Michael, the building carries the name of the original church whose ruins stand beside the modern structure. Sunday services regularly fill the space with choral singing, and many locals use the courtyard between old and new as a quiet place for reflection.

Access is available Monday through Saturday during morning and afternoon hours, and on Sundays after midday. The site suits visitors with limited mobility well, as main areas are at ground level.

The baptistry in the modern building holds close to 200 colored glass panels that cast shifting patterns on the floor in daylight. The outdoor altar between the ruins is used for open-air services on special occasions.

Location: Coventry

Location: England

Inception: 1951

Architects: Basil Spence

Official opening: 1962

Architectural style: modern architecture

Height: 100 m

Website: http://coventrycathedral.org.uk

GPS coordinates: 52.40833,-1.50694

Latest update: December 12, 2025 22:21