St Mary de Crypt
Gloucester, Gloucestershire
St Mary de Crypt is a fine late 15th century church situated in the centre of Gloucester.
There is something special about Gloucester Cathedral. Perhaps it is in the dramatic yet elegant architecture of this building, the majestic music that takes place here, the countless prayers that have been said down the ages, and perhaps it is in the simple truth that people have felt something of God here down the centuries. Perhaps it is also in the fact this this is still true today and that people come here to pray, to wonder, to be quiet, to sing, to find refreshment and to simply be more whole.
Project Pilgrim is an ambitious ten year programme of capital development, regeneration and community engagement. Home to some of the finest examples of English architectural styles, stained glass and sculpture, Gloucester Cathedral has many magnificent treasures to share with all those who visit. Simon Jenkins said 'The contrast between Gloucester's Norman nave and its 14th century transept, choir and presbytery is a set text of English architecture. The rebuilding of the tower followed a century later.
No cloister in England stands comparison with Gloucester, standard bearer for the new Perpendicular'. Steeped in rich history, the dynamic stories of the Cathedral's past are told throughout the building. With centuries of craftsmanship on display, from the monumental nave pillars to the intricate green men carvings, there are many hidden gems for you to uncover on your journey around the Cathedral. From the foundations that were laid in 1089 by Abbot Serlo, to the 15th century Lady Chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the building will take you on a unique tour of English architecture. The Cathedral also played a significant role in medieval court culture as it featured in the lives of Henry III and Edward II and still bears the scars of the Reformation and the Civil War.
There is also a magnificent collection of stained glass, including the great east window which was installed in the early 1350s and is as large as a tennis court! Other works include the stunning Christopher Whall windows which are arguably the most significant collection of Arts & Crafts stained glass in the world and more recently, the work of Thomas Denny.
