FEBRUARY 2010:
Our Lady of Lincoln (Catholic), LINCOLN and St John the Baptist, Ermine, LINCOLN
The
first church visit by the group was on 5 February 2010 to the RC
church of Our Lady of Lincoln on the Ermine estate. This is
an area of Lincoln which has expanded rapidly in the last 50 years
and the RC population was first served from St Hugh’s Monks Road
with Mass being celebrated in a room over the Co-Op on Wragby Road.
A wooden building was then used for several years but as housing
increased it became clear that a more suitable building was required.
In 1963 the foundation stone of the present building was laid and
the new church was opened in 1964 but the Solemn Consecration did not
take place until 23 September 1975.
This modern church is very pleasing building and the interior is greatly enhanced by three magnificent stained glass windows, each with a predominant colour and containing a number of symbolic images and sacred monograms.
The back window, facing the Altar, is mainly in shades of green, representing God the Father and his work of Creation. The three Images are (1). A Hand upraised in an act of blessing on all his Creation "God saw that all that he had made was very Good" (Genesis 1: 25) (2). A Triquetra -consisting of a three-cornered figure of interlaced loops - an early symbol of the Holy Trinity (Three Persons in One God) (3). An Open Book indicating the Scriptures, with the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying that God is the beginning and end of all things.
On the left-hand side of the church is a window dedicated to Jesus our Saviour. The predominant colour is red, which signifies the love in the heart of Jesus for all mankind. The three symbols in this window are: (1). A Cross of deep red against a gold/white disc which may represent the splendour of the sun or the white circle of the Eucharist. (2). A Golden Chalice surmounted by the Bread of the Eucharist, shown against the outline of a cross. Golden rays emanate from the chalice which is used to contain the wine of the Eucharist. (3). A Chi Rho. This is a monogram of the first two letters of the Greek Word for Christ
On the right-hand side of the church is a window dedicated to Our Lady. The predominant colour is blue, which is traditionally used in depictions of Mary, the Mother of God. The three designs in this window are: (1). A Star shining over the waves of the ocean. In ancient hymns and other writings Mary is often referred to as Star of the Sea, the one who guides the weary traveller in the perilous journey of life. (2). The Letter M for Maria, or Mary. (3). The Fleur de Lys, a traditional symbol for Our Lady. This same emblem, which stands for purity of life and holiness, is also found in the Lincoln Coat of Arms.
This church is bright and colourful and made an extremely good start to the group’s visits
We then moved just up the road to another very modern church.
This modern church is very pleasing building and the interior is greatly enhanced by three magnificent stained glass windows, each with a predominant colour and containing a number of symbolic images and sacred monograms.
The back window, facing the Altar, is mainly in shades of green, representing God the Father and his work of Creation. The three Images are (1). A Hand upraised in an act of blessing on all his Creation "God saw that all that he had made was very Good" (Genesis 1: 25) (2). A Triquetra -consisting of a three-cornered figure of interlaced loops - an early symbol of the Holy Trinity (Three Persons in One God) (3). An Open Book indicating the Scriptures, with the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying that God is the beginning and end of all things.
On the left-hand side of the church is a window dedicated to Jesus our Saviour. The predominant colour is red, which signifies the love in the heart of Jesus for all mankind. The three symbols in this window are: (1). A Cross of deep red against a gold/white disc which may represent the splendour of the sun or the white circle of the Eucharist. (2). A Golden Chalice surmounted by the Bread of the Eucharist, shown against the outline of a cross. Golden rays emanate from the chalice which is used to contain the wine of the Eucharist. (3). A Chi Rho. This is a monogram of the first two letters of the Greek Word for Christ
On the right-hand side of the church is a window dedicated to Our Lady. The predominant colour is blue, which is traditionally used in depictions of Mary, the Mother of God. The three designs in this window are: (1). A Star shining over the waves of the ocean. In ancient hymns and other writings Mary is often referred to as Star of the Sea, the one who guides the weary traveller in the perilous journey of life. (2). The Letter M for Maria, or Mary. (3). The Fleur de Lys, a traditional symbol for Our Lady. This same emblem, which stands for purity of life and holiness, is also found in the Lincoln Coat of Arms.
This church is bright and colourful and made an extremely good start to the group’s visits
We then moved just up the road to another very modern church.
The background to our
next church is very similar to that of Our Lady. The Anglican
church of St John was the brain-child of local architect Sam Scorer.
The striking exterior of the building does not suggest that it is
a church! It is completely dominated by its aluminium covered
hyperbolic parabloid roof. It is cast in concrete and
self-supporting with steel stabilizers. The font, pulpit and altar
were all designed by Sam Scorer and cast in concrete.
The interior of the church is dominated by the coloured glass which fills most of the east wall. The church was completed in 1963.
The interior of the church is dominated by the coloured glass which fills most of the east wall. The church was completed in 1963.
The
group inside St Johns church
These
two churches made a very good start for the new group. A taste of
things to come.
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