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Newcastle Cathedral

2023-07-12T19:06:08Z

80.13.44.163:

{{for multi|the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Newcastle upon Tyne|St Mary's Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne|the Anglican Cathedral in Newcastle, Australia|Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox church
| name = Newcastle Cathedral
| fullname = Cathedral Church of St Nicholas
| image = Newcastle upon Tyne, England.jpg
| imagesize =
| imagealt =
| landscape =
| caption =
| pushpin map = Tyne and Wear
| pushpin label position = top
| pushpin map alt =
| pushpin mapsize =
| map caption = Shown within Tyne and Wear
| coordinates = {{coord|54|58|12|N|1|36|40|W|region:GB-NET|format=dms|display=title}}
| osgraw = 
| osgridref = 
| location = [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Tyne and Wear]]
| country = [[England]]
| denomination = [[Church of England]]
| previous denomination = [[Roman Catholic]]
| tradition = [[High church|High Church]]
| membership =
| website = [http://www.newcastlecathedral.org.uk newcastlecathedral.org.uk]
| former name =
| bull date =
| consecrated date =
| people =
| status =
| functional status = Active
| heritage designation = Grade I
| designated date =
| previous cathedrals =
| architect =
| architectural type =
| style = [[English Gothic architecture|English Gothic]]
| years built = 1091{{snd}}{{circa|1500}}
| groundbreaking =
| completed date =
| construction cost =
| closed date =
| demolished date =
| capacity = 1,000
| length =
| length nave =
| length choir =
| width =
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| width transepts =
| height =
| height nave =
| height choir =
| dome quantity =
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| tower quantity = one
| tower height =
| spire quantity =
| spire height = 194 feet (59 metres)
| archdiocese =
| metropolis =
| diocese = [[Diocese of Newcastle|Newcastle]]
| diocese start = 1882
| province = [[Province of York|York]]
| archbishop =
| bishop = [[Helen-Ann Hartley]]
| dean = vacant
| provost =
| canon =
| canonpastor = Jean Skinner (SSM)
| canonmissioner = vacant
| chancellor = Peter Dobson Outreach and Discipleship)
| precentor = Clare MacLaren (Music and Liturgy)
| archdeacon = [[Mark Wroe]] ([[Archdeacon of Northumberland|Northumberland]])
| reader =
| director = Ian Roberts
| organist = Kris Thomsett
}}
'''Newcastle Cathedral''', formally the '''Cathedral Church of St Nicholas''', is a [[Church of England]] [[cathedral]] in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[Tyne and Wear]], [[England]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/whats-in-a-name/|title=What's in a name?|website=Newcastle Cathedral|date=September 2021|access-date=22 September 2021}}</ref> It is the seat of the [[Bishop of Newcastle (England)|Bishop of Newcastle]] and is the mother church of the [[Diocese of Newcastle]].

It is the most northerly diocese of the [[Anglican Church]] in England, reaching from the [[River Tyne]] as far north as [[Berwick-upon-Tweed]] and as far west as [[Alston, Cumbria|Alston]] in [[Cumbria]].<ref>[http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/findus/index.htm Diocese website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819050844/http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/findus/index.htm |date=19 August 2007 }}, URL accessed 30 June 2007]</ref> The cathedral is a grade I listed building.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Cathedral of St Nicholas|num=1355309|access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref>

Founded in 1091 during the same period as the nearby [[The Castle, Newcastle|castle]], the Norman church was destroyed by fire in 1216 and the current building was completed in 1350, so is mostly of the [[Perpendicular style]] of the 14th century. Its tower is noted for its 15th-century lantern spire. Heavily restored in 1777, the building was raised to cathedral status in 1882, when it became known as the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas.

==History==
[[File:Newcastle Cathedral post-refurbishment 2021 .jpg|alt=A view of the nave looking down towards the East Window.|left|thumb|upright=1.2|Looking down the nave, remodelled in 2020/21, towards the East Window.]]
[[File:The Cathedral Church Of St Nicholas Choir.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|left|The choir]]
The cathedral is named after [[St Nicholas]], the patron saint of sailors and boats. This may reflect the cathedral's position on the northern heights above the [[River Tyne]]. It was originally a [[parish]] church, built in 1091.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp235-255|title=St Nicholas' church: History and architecture | British History Online|website=www.british-history.ac.uk}}</ref> It was built close to the line of [[Hadrian's Wall]] through Newcastle, which may have passed through or near the churchyard to the south, but unfortunately the exact location of its line through the very centre of the city is currently lost. Close to the south of the cathedral is [[The Castle, Newcastle|Newcastle Castle]], which gave the city its name, and which was itself built on the site of the Hadrian's Wall fort of [[Pons Aelius]]. The Norman church was destroyed by fire in 1216 and the present structure was completed in 1350.<ref>{{cite web|first=Eneas |last=Mackenzie|title='St Nicholas' church: History and architecture', in Historical Account of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Including the Borough of Gateshead (Newcastle-upon-Tyne|year= 1827|pages=235–255 |url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp235-255|access-date=31 December 2014}}</ref>

The most famous notable of the cathedral was the Scottish [[protestant reformation|reformer]] [[John Knox]], who served as minister from late 1550 until 2 February 1553.<ref>Jane Dawson, ''John Knox'',
(Yale University Press: 2015). 61-64</ref>

In the mid-19th century Newcastle experienced a huge increase in its population, leading to the construction of over 20 new churches in the suburbs. As Newcastle continued to grow, so did its need for a diocese separate from Durham, and so in 1882 the [[Diocese of Newcastle]] was formed, with St Nicholas's as its cathedral.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=25110|date=23 May 1882|page=2393}}</ref>

The cathedral is notable for its unusual lantern spire, which was constructed in 1448. For hundreds of years, it was a main navigation point for ships using the [[River Tyne]]. At its base the tower measures {{convert|36|ft|9|in|abbr=on}} by {{convert|35|ft|abbr=on}} and it is {{convert|194|ft|2|in|abbr=on}} from the base to the top of the steeple.<ref>[http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html Tower statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622015445/http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html |date=22 June 2007 }}, URL accessed 30 June 2007</ref><ref>Flannery, Julian (2016). ''Fifty English Steeples: The Finest Medieval Parish Church Towers and Spires in England''. [[New York City]], New York, United States: [[Thames and Hudson]]. pp. 434–443. {{isbn|978-0500343142}}</ref>

On each corner of the lantern are gilded statues, of [[Adam]] eating the apple, [[Eve]] holding out the apple, [[Aaron]] dressed as a bishop, and [[David]] holding a harp. Following work on the street in the 1860s the tower was found to be cracking and tilting, so two porches were added to buttress the structure. Since then the tower has settled and the ornate wooden font cover, which is suspended from the tower inside, does not hang in line with the font.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timarchive.freeuk.com/html/cathedral.htm |title=Cathedral |publisher=Timarchive.freeuk.com |access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref>

The interior of the church was badly damaged by [[Scotland|Scottish]] invaders during their brief occupation of the city in 1640, and in 1644, during the nine-week [[Siege of Newcastle]], Scottish invaders threatened to bombard the lantern tower, but were deterred when the mayor Sir John Marley put his Scottish prisoners in it.<ref>[http://www.genuki.bpears.org.uk/NBL/Newcastle/StNicholas/#ChurchHistory History of the building at GenUKI website], URL accessed 9 March 2007</ref> The tower was repaired in September 1645, 1723 and 1761. A [[lightning conductor]] was added in 1777.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/newcastle-historical-account/pp235-255 |title=St Nicholas' church: History and architecture | British History Online |publisher=British-history.ac.uk |access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref>

In 2020 and 2021, the cathedral closed to visitors on account of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] lockdown. However, the building work of the ''Common Ground in Sacred Space'' heritage project continued. The renovation works entailed removing the Victorian pews, installing underfloor heating, restoring and re-laying up to 130 [[ledger stones]] (gravestones), improving the churchyards, and adding an east entrance to the building. The cathedral re-opened in August 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tgace.co.uk/project/st-nicholas-cathedral/|title=Common Ground in Sacred Spaces|publisher=TGA Consulting Engineers|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>

In October 2021, the building was one of 142 sites across England to receive part of a £35-million injection into the government's [[Culture Recovery Fund]].<ref>[https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/heritage-and-craft-workers-across-england-given-a-helping-hand/ "Heritage and Craft Workers Across England Given a Helping Hand"] – [[Historic England]], 22 October 2021</ref>

== Bells ==
The tower contains a complete [[ring of bells|ring]] of twelve bells, the tenor bell which weighs almost two tons, plus three 15th-century bells, one of which, "St Nicholas", is rung for daily services. The addition of a second treble bell (named "Gabriel") in 1999 has made it possible to ring a lighter peal of ten bells.<ref>[http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html Description of the bells at the cathedral website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622015445/http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html |date=22 June 2007 }}, URL accessed 30 June 2007</ref> Among the bells is a [[Bourdon (bell)|bourdon]] ('The Major') which weighs nearly six tonnes and is hung for swing chiming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/get-involved/bell-ringing/|title=Bell Ringing|publisher=Newcastle Cathedral|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>

==Notable interior features==
[[File:Medieval stained glass roundel, Newcastle cathedral.jpg|thumb|left|Medieval Madonna and Child roundel in St Margaret's Chapel]]
The nave furnishings were designed by the local artist and craftsman [[Ralph Hedley]] in the early 20th century, after the parish church of St Nicholas became a cathedral in 1882. The [[high altar]] depicts [[Christ in Majesty]] holding an orb and sceptre, flanked by the [[Four Evangelists]] each with their special symbol.<ref>[http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html Cathedral tour] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622015445/http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html |date=22 June 2007 }}, URL accessed 30 June 2007</ref>

Inside the cathedral a finely-carved marble monument commemorates Admiral [[Lord Collingwood]] (1748–1810), born just to the south of the cathedral in a house in The Side, who took over command at the [[Battle of Trafalgar]] (21 October 1805) after the death of Admiral [[Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson|Lord Nelson]]. Collingwood was baptised and married in St Nicholas's and each year, on 21 October, a wreath is laid in his memory in front of the monument.<ref name="oldnewcastle1">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldnewcastle.org.uk/cathedral-church-st-nicholas |title=St Nicholas Cathedral |publisher=Old Newcastle |access-date=2018-06-09}}</ref> His body was buried in [[St Paul's Cathedral]] in London, near to that of Nelson.<ref>"Memorials of St Paul's Cathedral" [[William Sinclair (Archdeacon of London)|Sinclair, W.]] p. 453: London; Chapman & Hall, Ltd; 1909.</ref>

The cathedral is filled with beautiful [[stained glass]]. Much of the original glass was broken during the [[English Civil War|Civil War]] and most now dates from the 18th century onwards. St Margaret's Chapel contains the only known fragment of medieval stained glass in the cathedral, a beautiful [[roundel]] of the [[Madonna and Child|Madonna feeding the Christ Child]]. More-modern stained glass works such as in St. George's Chapel were erected in honour of two of Tyneside's late 19th-/early 20th-century industrial pioneers, who both died in 1931 within weeks of each other. Other references to industry can be found in the cathedral's stained glass, including in the [[Charles Algernon Parsons|Charles Parsons]] window, which features ''[[Turbinia]]'', the first turbine-driven steam yacht, with which Parsons astonished the Queen's Navy at the Spithead naval review in 1897.<ref name="oldnewcastle1"/>

[[File:Roger and Agnes Thornton Brass.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.2|[[Monumental brass]] of Roger and Agnes Thornton and their fourteen children. It was originally in [[All Saints' Church, Newcastle upon Tyne|All Saints' Church]] nearby.]]
The cathedral contains a number of memorials, the oldest being a 13th-century [[tomb effigy]] of a knight in armour, thought to be Peter le Marechal, sword-bearer to [[Edward I of England|King Edward I]]. It is one of the oldest objects in the cathedral. Another is the Thornton Brass, a [[monumental brass]] to [[Roger Thornton]] and his wife; he was a successful merchant, three times Mayor of Newcastle, several times Member of Parliament, and great benefactor to the cathedral. This is one of the finest examples of a [[Flanders|Flemish]] brass and dates from at least as early as 1441 (maybe pre-1429); it is believed to be the largest brass in the United Kingdom, and originally it covered Thornton's tomb in the nearby [[All Saints' Church, Newcastle upon Tyne]]. This commemoration to Thornton, his wife, seven sons and seven daughters can be seen fixed vertically on the far side of the High Altar, facing the east window. A horizontal replica was previously kept near the north door of the cathedral for [[brass rubbing]] purposes.<ref name="oldnewcastle1"/>

Just to the north of the cathedral stands a bronze statue of [[Queen Victoria]] erected to commemorate 500 years of the Shrievalty (the jurisdiction of a sheriff) of Newcastle. Sculpted by [[Alfred Gilbert]] and unveiled in 1903, two years after Queen Victoria's death, the statue was a gift from [[William Haswell Stephenson|W. H. Stephenson]], a company director and politician who held the office of mayor in Newcastle seven times.<ref name="oldnewcastle1"/>
[[File:Northumberland Fusiliers Colours.jpg|thumb|A plaque listing the colours hung in Newcastle Cathedral.]]

The cathedral is home to a number of standards presented to the cathedral for safe keeping at the end of the [[World War I|First World War]]; they are displayed in the Chapel of the Northumberland Fusiliers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collections and research |url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/learn/history-and-heritage/collections-and-research/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Newcastle Cathedral |language=en-GB}}</ref> These include two belonging to the [[63rd (Royal Naval) Division|Royal Naval Division]] (Hood Battalion and Hawke Battalion), and 16 belonging to battalions of the Northumberland Fusiliers (8th, 9th, 10th, 11th 12th & 13th, 14th, 16th (Newcastle Commercials), [[17th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers|17th (North Eastern Railway Pioneers)]], 18th (1st Tyneside Pioneers), 19th (2nd Tyneside Pioneers), 22nd (3rd [[Tyneside Scottish]]), 24th (1st [[103rd (Tyneside Irish) Brigade|Tyneside Irish]]), 51st, 52nd, 53rd and 2nd Garrison).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clarkson |first=Georgina |date=2022-04-27 |title=Remembering lives lost in centuries gone by |url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/remembering-lives-lost-in-centuries-gone-by/ |access-date=2022-12-25 |website=Newcastle Cathedral |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Dean and chapter==
As of 9 December 2022:<ref>[https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/learn/about-us/meet-the-team/ Newcastle Cathedral – Meet the Team] (Accessed 9 December 2022)</ref>
*[[Dean of Newcastle|Dean]] – vacant since November 2022<ref>{{cite web |website=Newcastle Cathedral |title=Retirement of the Dean of Newcastle, Geoff Miller |date=12 September 2022 |url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/dean-retirement/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031175026/https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/dean-retirement/ |archive-date=31 October 2022 |access-date=9 December 2022 }}</ref>
*Canon for Music and Liturgy (i.e., [[precentor]]) – Clare MacLaren (since 11 October 2015)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/whats-on/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043629/http://stnicholascathedral.co.uk/event/choral-evensong-26-2015-10-11/|url-status=dead|title=Events Archive|archivedate=4 March 2016|publisher=Newcastle Cathedral}}</ref>
*Canon for Outreach and Discipleship (i.e., [[Chancellor (ecclesiastical)|chancellor]]) – Peter Dobson (since December 2019)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://stnicholascathedral.co.uk/news/announcement-of-the-appointment-of-the-canon-for-outreach-and-discipleship/ |title=Announcement of the appointment of the Canon for Outreach and Discipleship - Newcastle Cathedral Church of St Nicholas |access-date=8 August 2019 |archive-date=8 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808141756/http://stnicholascathedral.co.uk/news/announcement-of-the-appointment-of-the-canon-for-outreach-and-discipleship/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Archdeacon of Northumberland]] – [[Mark Wroe]] (since 24 March 2019 installation)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stnicholascathedral.co.uk/news/new-archdeacon-of-northumberland-installed/|title=New Archdeacon of Northumberland Installed|publisher=Newcastle Cathedral}}</ref>
*Canon Pastor – Jean Skinner (retired since 2017; [[Self-supporting minister|SSM]] called Canon Pastor since 7 April 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newcastlecathedral.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Newcastle-Cathedral-Annual-Report-for-2019.pdf|title=The Annual Parish Vestry Meeting and Annual Congregational Meeting|date=25 October 2020|publisher=Newcastle Cathedral|access-date=5 December 2021}}</ref>
*Director of Mission and Ministry (Diocesan Canon) – vacant since 15 July 2022<ref>{{cite web |website=Diocese of Carlisle |title=The new Bishop of Penrith is consecrated |url=https://www.carlislediocese.org.uk/news/2022/07/15/new-bishop-penrith-consecrated/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715163645/https://www.carlislediocese.org.uk/news/2022/07/15/new-bishop-penrith-consecrated/ |archive-date=15 July 2022 |access-date=3 August 2022 }}</ref>

==Music==
[[File:St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle - Organ - geograph.org.uk - 975763.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1.1|The [[Lewis & Co]]/ [[Harrison & Harrison]]/ Nicholson & Co organ at Newcastle Cathedral.]]
The cathedral has a strong tradition of music. In 1503, the thirteen-year-old [[Margaret Tudor|Princess Margaret]], daughter of [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]] and engaged to marry [[James IV of Scotland]], while passing through Newcastle on her way north, noted in her journal a number of children in surplices "who sang melodious hymns, accompanying themselves with instruments of many sorts".<ref>[http://www.newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/the-cathedral-choir.asp Newcastle Cathedral Choir website], URL accessed 5 May 2009</ref> Later, the baroque composer [[Charles Avison]] (1709–1770) was organist and choirmaster at the church.<ref>[http://www.naxos.com/composerinfo/Charles_Avison/24383.htm Charles Avison biography] at [[Naxos Records]].com, URL accessed 5 May 2009</ref>

The cathedral choir has been featured on [[BBC Radio 3]]'s ''Choral Evensong''.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/choralevensong/pip/5wpzc/ BBC Choral Evensong, 6 December 2006], URL accessed 9 March 2007</ref>

The cathedral is home to a fine organ, a four-manual Grand Organ built by [[Lewis & Co|T C Lewis]],<ref>[http://www.duresme.org.uk/NEorgans/newcastle.htm Description of the Organ], URL accessed 9 March 2007</ref> although rebuilt several times since, notably by [[Harrison & Harrison]] in 1911 and 1954<ref>[http://www.harrison-organs.co.uk/n.html Harrison & Harrison catalogue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506222018/http://www.harrison-organs.co.uk/n.html |date=6 May 2006 }}, URL accessed 9 March 2007</ref> and by Nicholson & Co. of Worcester in 1981.<ref>[http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=P00150 Details of the organ from the National Pipe Organ Register], URL accessed 9 March 2007</ref>
{{See also|List of musicians at English cathedrals}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
*[[Samuel Hammond (minister)|Samuel Hammond]]

==References==
{{Reflist|3}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.newcastlecathedral.org.uk Official Cathedral website]
*[http://www.newcastle.anglican.org/ Newcastle Diocese website]
*
*[http://www.peterloud.co.uk/photos/Northumberland/Newcastle_Cathedral/Newcastle_Cathedral.html Photos and panoramas of Cathedral interior] by Peter Loud
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/image_galleries/st_nicholas_cathedral_gallery.shtml?1 BBC Tyne image gallery]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/tyne/content/panoramas/the_choir_360.shtml 360° interior panoramas at BBC Tyne]
*[http://www.picturesofgateshead.co.uk/postcards_newcastle1/ Old picture postcards of Newcastle]

{{Provosts and Deans of Newcastle}}
{{Cathedrals of the Church of England}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1350]]
[[Category:Anglican cathedrals in England]]
[[Category:Churches in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:Church of England church buildings in Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Grade I listed churches in Tyne and Wear|Newcastle upon Tyne, Anglican cathedral]]
[[Category:Grade I listed cathedrals|Newcastle upon Tyne, Anglican cathedral]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:English Gothic architecture in Tyne and Wear]]
[[Category:Diocese of Newcastle|Cathedral, Newcastle]]

Crown steeple

2023-07-12T19:04:47Z

80.13.44.163:

[[File:Cathédrale St Nicolas Newcastle Tyne 19.jpg|thumb|Crown spire, [[Newcastle Cathedral]] (1448)]]
A '''crown steeple''', or '''crown spire''', is a traditional form of church [[Steeple (architecture)|steeple]] in which curved stone [[flying buttress]]es form the open shape of a rounded crown. Crown spires first appeared in the [[Gothic architecture|Late Gothic]] church architecture in [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] during the [[Late Middle Ages]], continued to be built through the 17th century and reappeared in the late 18th century as part of the [[Gothic Revival]].

==Gothic crown spires==
[[File:St Giles Cathedral - 03.jpg|thumb|right|Crown steeple of [[St Giles' Cathedral]], [[Edinburgh]] (1495)]]
The crown steeple on [[Newcastle Cathedral]] was erected in 1448.<ref>[http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html Tower statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622015445/http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html |date=22 June 2007 }}, URL accessed 30 June 2007</ref>

The crown spire of [[St Giles' Cathedral]], [[Edinburgh]] was erected in 1495, and rebuilt by [[John Mylne (1611-1667)|John Mylne]] in 1648.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB27381|desc=HIGH STREET AND PARLIAMENT SQUARE, ST GILES (HIGH) KIRK |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref>

Another medieval crown steeple was built on the [[Chapel]] of [[King's College, Aberdeen]] (1500–1509), although this too was rebuilt in the 17th century, after the original blew down.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB19943 |desc=KINGS COLLEGE CHAPEL, COLLEGE BOUNDS |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The crown steeple of the [[Glasgow Tolbooth]], in [[Glasgow]]'s [[Merchant City]], was built in 1626–1634 by John Boyd,<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB32717 |desc=HIGH STREET GLASGOW CROSS THE TOLBOOTH STEEPLE |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and at the time was the only such steeple in western Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theglasgowstory.com/story.php?id=TGSBF |title=Buildings and Cityscape |author=Macaulay, James |work=The Glasgow Story |accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref>

In 1698, [[Christopher Wren|Sir Christopher Wren]] added a tower with a crown steeple to [[St Dunstan-in-the-East]], London.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1359173 |desc=Church of St Dunstan in the East |accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref>

==Gothic Revival crown steeples==
[[Image:Coats Memorial Church, Paisley 2015-08-19.jpg|thumb|left|[[Coats Memorial Baptist Church]], Paisley (1885)]]
Crown steeples were often incorporated into [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] churches. An octagonal bell tower with crown spire was added to [[St Giles' Church, Pontefract|St Giles' Church]] in [[Pontefract]] in 1790.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=http://www.stgilespontefract.org.uk/history/|access-date=2020-07-29|website=St Giles' Church Pontefract|language=en-GB}}</ref> The open spire of [[Faversham Parish Church]], Kent was built in 1797,<ref>{{NHLE |num=1319973 |desc=The Parish Church of St. Mary of Charity, Faversham |accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref> and a crown steeple was added to [[Tillington, West Sussex|Tillington]] Parish Church, Sussex, in 1807.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1217757 |desc=The Parish Church of All Hallows, Tillington |accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref>

A secular example tops the [[Wallace Monument]], near Stirling, erected in 1869 to a design by the architect [[John Thomas Rochead]].

Other ecclesiastical examples include those at [[Tarbert, Kintyre]] (1886),<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB12029 |desc=TARBERT CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, CAMPBELTOWN ROAD |cat=B |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and the [[Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church]], Glasgow, by [[John James Stevenson]] (1902).<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB33753 |desc=62 BELMONT STREET, 93 AND 99 GARRIOCHMILL ROAD, KELVIN STEVENSON MEMORIAL CHURCH (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) AND CARETAKER'S HOUSE |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The south facade of the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]], London, is a hybrid of Gothic and classical architectural forms, topped by a crown steeple. This part of the building was designed by [[Aston Webb]], and completed in 1909.<ref>Physick, John. (1982) ''The Victoria and Albert Museum: The History of its Building''. Victoria and Albert Museum. {{ISBN|0-905209-25-7}} p.228</ref>

==Modern versions==
[[File:Linlithgow 2011 (5565320451).jpg|thumb|Crown steeple of [[St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow]] (1964)]]
One of the most recent examples is at [[St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow]], where an aluminium crown spire was added in 1964.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB37499 |desc=ST MICHAEL'S PARISH CHURCH (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) WITH GATEWAY AND LIVINGSTON BURIAL VAULT |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

A crown spire was proposed for the long-unfinished [[Crossing (architecture)|crossing]] of [[Westminster Abbey]], scheduled to be completed in time for the [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II]] in 2013. Nothing came of it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Abbey Development Plan Update|url=http://www.westminster-abbey.org/press/news/news/2010/august/abbey-development-plan-update|publisher=Westminster Abbey|date=4 August 2010|accessdate=7 September 2010}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Architectural elements]]
[[Category:Architecture in Scotland]]
[[Category:Architecture in England]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival architecture]]

Crown steeple

2023-07-12T19:04:20Z

80.13.44.163:

[[File:Cathédrale St Nicolas Newcastle Tyne 19.jpg|thumb|Crown spire, [[St Nicholas Church, Newcastle upon Tyne|St Nicholas Church, Newcastle]] (1448)]]
A '''crown steeple''', or '''crown spire''', is a traditional form of church [[Steeple (architecture)|steeple]] in which curved stone [[flying buttress]]es form the open shape of a rounded crown. Crown spires first appeared in the [[Gothic architecture|Late Gothic]] church architecture in [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] during the [[Late Middle Ages]], continued to be built through the 17th century and reappeared in the late 18th century as part of the [[Gothic Revival]].

==Gothic crown spires==
[[File:St Giles Cathedral - 03.jpg|thumb|right|Crown steeple of [[St Giles' Cathedral]], [[Edinburgh]] (1495)]]
The crown steeple on [[Newcastle Cathedral]] was erected in 1448.<ref>[http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html Tower statistics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070622015445/http://newcastle-ang-cathedral-stnicholas.org.uk/aframe.html |date=22 June 2007 }}, URL accessed 30 June 2007</ref>

The crown spire of [[St Giles' Cathedral]], [[Edinburgh]] was erected in 1495, and rebuilt by [[John Mylne (1611-1667)|John Mylne]] in 1648.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB27381|desc=HIGH STREET AND PARLIAMENT SQUARE, ST GILES (HIGH) KIRK |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref>

Another medieval crown steeple was built on the [[Chapel]] of [[King's College, Aberdeen]] (1500–1509), although this too was rebuilt in the 17th century, after the original blew down.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB19943 |desc=KINGS COLLEGE CHAPEL, COLLEGE BOUNDS |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The crown steeple of the [[Glasgow Tolbooth]], in [[Glasgow]]'s [[Merchant City]], was built in 1626–1634 by John Boyd,<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB32717 |desc=HIGH STREET GLASGOW CROSS THE TOLBOOTH STEEPLE |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and at the time was the only such steeple in western Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theglasgowstory.com/story.php?id=TGSBF |title=Buildings and Cityscape |author=Macaulay, James |work=The Glasgow Story |accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref>

In 1698, [[Christopher Wren|Sir Christopher Wren]] added a tower with a crown steeple to [[St Dunstan-in-the-East]], London.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1359173 |desc=Church of St Dunstan in the East |accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref>

==Gothic Revival crown steeples==
[[Image:Coats Memorial Church, Paisley 2015-08-19.jpg|thumb|left|[[Coats Memorial Baptist Church]], Paisley (1885)]]
Crown steeples were often incorporated into [[Gothic Revival architecture|Gothic Revival]] churches. An octagonal bell tower with crown spire was added to [[St Giles' Church, Pontefract|St Giles' Church]] in [[Pontefract]] in 1790.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=http://www.stgilespontefract.org.uk/history/|access-date=2020-07-29|website=St Giles' Church Pontefract|language=en-GB}}</ref> The open spire of [[Faversham Parish Church]], Kent was built in 1797,<ref>{{NHLE |num=1319973 |desc=The Parish Church of St. Mary of Charity, Faversham |accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref> and a crown steeple was added to [[Tillington, West Sussex|Tillington]] Parish Church, Sussex, in 1807.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1217757 |desc=The Parish Church of All Hallows, Tillington |accessdate=1 March 2019}}</ref>

A secular example tops the [[Wallace Monument]], near Stirling, erected in 1869 to a design by the architect [[John Thomas Rochead]].

Other ecclesiastical examples include those at [[Tarbert, Kintyre]] (1886),<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB12029 |desc=TARBERT CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, CAMPBELTOWN ROAD |cat=B |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and the [[Kelvin Stevenson Memorial Church]], Glasgow, by [[John James Stevenson]] (1902).<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB33753 |desc=62 BELMONT STREET, 93 AND 99 GARRIOCHMILL ROAD, KELVIN STEVENSON MEMORIAL CHURCH (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) AND CARETAKER'S HOUSE |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

The south facade of the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]], London, is a hybrid of Gothic and classical architectural forms, topped by a crown steeple. This part of the building was designed by [[Aston Webb]], and completed in 1909.<ref>Physick, John. (1982) ''The Victoria and Albert Museum: The History of its Building''. Victoria and Albert Museum. {{ISBN|0-905209-25-7}} p.228</ref>

==Modern versions==
[[File:Linlithgow 2011 (5565320451).jpg|thumb|Crown steeple of [[St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow]] (1964)]]
One of the most recent examples is at [[St Michael's Parish Church, Linlithgow]], where an aluminium crown spire was added in 1964.<ref>{{Historic Environment Scotland|num=LB37499 |desc=ST MICHAEL'S PARISH CHURCH (CHURCH OF SCOTLAND) WITH GATEWAY AND LIVINGSTON BURIAL VAULT |cat=A |access-date=1 March 2019|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

A crown spire was proposed for the long-unfinished [[Crossing (architecture)|crossing]] of [[Westminster Abbey]], scheduled to be completed in time for the [[Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II]] in 2013. Nothing came of it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Abbey Development Plan Update|url=http://www.westminster-abbey.org/press/news/news/2010/august/abbey-development-plan-update|publisher=Westminster Abbey|date=4 August 2010|accessdate=7 September 2010}}</ref>

==References==
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[[Category:Architectural elements]]
[[Category:Architecture in Scotland]]
[[Category:Architecture in England]]
[[Category:Gothic Revival architecture]]