St. Gregory The illuminator Armenian Orthodox Church

St. Gregory The illuminator Armenian Orthodox Church
Originally uploaded by nersess

An astonishing modern cathedral in Armenia. I can do no better than quote the text provided by nersess on flickr.

The consecration of the foundations of the Cathedral of St. Gregory the illuminator in Yerevan City was carried out in 1996 by His Holiness Vazken I of blessed memory Catholicos of All Armenians. The construction works started in January 1997 according to the design of the honoured architect, Stephan Kyurkchian.
The Cathedral is a complex consisting of three churches: the Cathedral (Main Church) with 1700 seats and the Chapels of St. Drtad the King and of St. Ashkhen the Queen (both with 150 seats). The belfry with more than 30 arches and the court that will serve as a vestibule to all the churches are located at the entrance of the Cathedral. The halls for both the receptions and church-related activities are provided on the lower floor of the Main Church.
The Complex has been entirely built by the method of monolithic reinforced concrete construction; the orange tufa-stone from Ani, the historical capital of Armenia, has been used for the facing of the Cathedral. The consecration of the Cathedral - the symbol of the 1700th anniversary of the proclamation of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia - was carried out on September 23, 2001 by His Holiness Karekin II Catholicos of All Armenians, and now, with its whole beauty and majesty, it is visible from the numerous corners of Yerevan.

Helena Cathedral

Helena Cathedral
Originally uploaded by Gonzuller

What a wonderful picture this is, and a surprise perhaps that this is the USA.
Begun in 1908 to the designs of A O Von Herbulis, the cathedral was not completed until 1924. The twin spires recall the Votive Church in Vienna, but the south tower had to be rebuilt after being almost destroyed in the series of earthquakes which shook Montana in 1935. Inside a wonderful series of stained glass windows, all made by F X Zetler in Munich, Germany.

St. Mary, Bicton, Devon

St. Mary, Bicton
Originally uploaded by recursion_see_recursion

The medieval church lies in ruins on a slightly different site. This one sits on the lawns in the formal gardens at Bicton House (now College). It was built to the designs of John Hayward, c1850. The ruins were given a chancel like building by Pugin, which is in fact a mausoleum for the Rolle family. This picture is awesome, and the setting is rather unique.

St Peter's Church, Pontardawe, Glamorgan

St Peter's Church Pontardawe
Originally uploaded by titian2009

Another view of this very unusual church.

St Peter's Church, Pontardawe, Glamorgan

St Peter's Church, Pontardawe
Originally uploaded by Aberdare Blog

I first saw this church some 13 years ago, driving up from the motorway, where it took my breath away. OK so it is Victorian, but I have never seen such a tall slim tower topped by such a tall spire. Sadly that day I did not have my camera with me.

Built 1858-60 at the expense of W M Parsons, local iron master, who insisted that the spire be taller than his factory chimneys (which have long disappeared). Architect was J H Baylis, and the spire reaches 197 feet (60 metres).

Church in a snowstorm

DSCF6813
Originally uploaded by Matthew Garrett

The church of All Saints, Blackheath, London - taken during the snowfall in London at the start of February by Matthew Garrett.

Pirton Church, Worcs

St. Peter's
Originally uploaded by flash of light

Here is another example of the work of Flash of Light.
I wish I could tke pictures like this, I am please to just get a decent snap out of the many I take. My pictures rarely have perfect exposures of building and sky.

Churches in the Landscape #4

St. Mary Magdalene, Croome
Originally uploaded by flash of light

Among the colleagues I have on flickr is "Flash of Light" who takes some absolutely awesome pictures, and some of them include churches. He has an ability to really make me sit up and look anew at some very familiar churches. Such is this church, belonging now to the Churches Conservation Trust at Croome d'Abitot in Worcestershire which stands in parkland attributed to Cpapability Brown. The church is renowned for the many elaborate monuments inside to the Coventry family.

Myeongdong Cathedral

Interior, Myeongdong Cathedral
Originally uploaded by Marmot1974

Another astonishing cathedral in Korea - it is a surprise that this church is not in France! Handsome Gothic revival.

Jeondong Cathedral

Jeondong Cathedral
Originally uploaded by Marmot1974

An unexpected find - the photographer Marmoy1974 says "Designed by a French priest, the cathedral was completed in 1914."
Certainly it is quite French in appearance.