Glasgow Cathedral. REALLY old, rich history.

We are about to enter Glasgow Cathedral. The photos are interesting but certainly do not do it justice. Remember that this building dates back to 1117. That it is even still standing is remarkable in itself! The site dates back much further though. The site was consecrated way back in 397 AD. The original structure dates back t 597 AD when St. Mungo arrived on the scene. He baptized many new Christians and when he died in 603 AD, was buried near his church. Today that area is the basement crypt of this existing church.

An etching I saw on the wall. I couldn't resist snapping it! We entered through the door on the side, next to the steeple. This made us enter in the center of the Nave. 

The building has a dark charcoal look because it is sandstone. Since that is a soft stone, unlike marble, it can not withstand pressure washing. Thankfully things like acid rain are not a problem in Scotland or we would not even have the building here today! The windows are pretty amazing from the outside, but wait until you go inside!

Are you ready?

Entering the Nave from the center and looking toward the altar.  (this is essentially the cross bar of the floor plan, so you don't get the idea how very long this aisle is)

The ceiling height is 105 feet but you still can't get that scale here! Remember that is is only around 10 AM so the full sun is not coming through the windows. They are brilliant but are 'modern' stained glass. Windows throughout the building date from around 1947, they are part of a recent renovation. The windows called "The Creation" were installed in 1958. 

Are you starting to see the scale now? The open timber roof dates back to the 14th Century. Think of it as a ships hull. Glasgow was a center for shipbuilding so the shipbuilding team was called in, essentially created the upside down hull of a ship and used it for a roof. It was very effective, and it is stunning

Through the archway, you can see the pipes of the Cathedral Organ,

Moving through the Cathedral, these are called the Trades House windows, on the south side. During the Reformation, many of the owners of various trades in town saved the Cathedral from the mobs of people who wanted to destroy it. The windows were designed with the Coat of Arms of many different trades in order to thank them for their efforts in saving the Cathedral.

More windows. Each has a story to go with it. As the sun came streaming through, they became more brilliant!

St. Mungo was a pretty special person and brought Christianity to Scotland long before the Reformation. The Crypt was originally the burial ground outside the church (603 AD) but was turned into a basement crypt with the construction of the current building in 1117 AD. The tomb is covered with an elaborately embroidered cloth which has patches that tell a story. It can be viewed from all sides.

The well worn, centuries old steps, that lead down into the Crypt.
It was SO COLD in the building as well!

The wooden doors that lead into the Quire and altar area of the Cathedral. I guess this actually belonged with the photos from upstairs! 

St Mungo's Bell. The bell was made for Tron Kirk in 1637. It had the motto for  the city of Glasgow on it. The motto went like this and changed over time. It was edited down, which makes me think about how so many people want information in 'bullet points.' today. You can tell that I am not a 'bullet point' kind of gal. Read the motto and see if you think it lost something in the editing.

1637
"Lord, let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of Thy Word and praising of Thy Name."

1663                                                                                                                     "Lord, let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of Thy Word"

1699
"Let Glasgow Flourish"

One of many inscriptions found in the crypt.

Back upstairs, the Quire Screen hides the Quire from the Nave. It is the only screen of its kind that is left in a non-monastic church anywhere in Scotland.  It dates from the mid 13th Century. The windows represent the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The pews face EAST which was a Reformation worship tradition.

I shot this and do not remember exactly where or why. Perhaps one of the students remembers the location.

The pulpit.

Detail from the pews

Pipes from the Cathedral Organ

The floral arrangement was not this stark, but one of the cameras had a great black and white with a spot of color feature.

And now....enjoy some of the kids!

We did not really figure out what this was. It was downstairs, a well, perhaps?

The Bible does not look incredibly huge in this photo.

Putting it into perspective, it was pretty big!

Reading Scripture at Glasgow Cathedral

We made our own statues in color and black and white throughout the trip

I snagged this somewhere. Isn't she beautiful when lit at night?

Hopefully this visit challenged the kids to spend their lives doing something of eternal value. 

Now, if you want a real treat....check out this site for 360 degree views!
www.panocorner.com/flash/gc_tour/index.html

Necropolis - It is Well With My Soul

Hopefully this will be an inspiring post. Keep in mind that a particular love of mine is old cathedrals/churches and cemeteries with ambiance. I don't have much use for the modern cemetery, give me the wonderful headstones and monuments! Today we will review our trip to Glasgow by visiting the Glasgow Cathedral. By the number of photos I sorted, it was pretty evident that the kids quite enjoyed this stop!

While taking breaks from sorting photos, I also happen to be reading Billy Graham's latest book, "Nearing Home."  It is outstanding!  Chapter 2 is about retirement, knowing when to retire, wondering how you will fill your time and such. I happen to love this retirement "thing" even though I am technically too young to call it 'retirement.' After 25 years doing something I really loved, it was time for a change, and God always seems to move me around at just the right time. As teachers go, I was on the older end of the curve at school, so the kids likely classify me in that category called "old." That is ok though. I like Dr. Graham's post by an unknown author..."Don't resent growing old, some are denied the privilege." Yes, keep it in perspective! The word 'retirement' as we use it in the modern language, is just not in the Bible. I guess that means that we don't sit down and quit. I surely don't plan to. 

I also think that your age is how you feel and your state of mind...so in that case, I border on the younger end of things! But here is the great part of the chapter (for me, anyway)...in talking about growing older, or 'old.'...(pg 19)...."Old is authentic, Old is genuine, Old is valuable, some even say that Old is beautiful.".....he was comparing a classic car to a new one and things like Coca Cola Classic being more desired than the New Coke.... It made me think about being...authentic, genuine, valuable, even beautiful.  .....and those kids.

I find it enjoyable, exhilarating, and entertaining to travel with young people. I found myself wondering what it might be like for them to travel with an 'old gal.'  Not too many of the kids have known me for the 25 years that I was at school each day so that would affect their evaluation.  I think I am more relaxed and enjoy the craziness of the kids a bit more than I did when I was younger. I certainly have a richer perspective on the reasons for travel, and I do hope they see me as real, authentic, knowing without a doubt why I believe as I do and how it brings great joy to my life, and why I want others to have the joy only Jesus can give.  I think I live by example more these days than I do by preaching. I do know this though....I am incredibly blessed. And the young people who have traveled to destinations abroad with me have enriched my life as I worked to show them a new, larger world. It is so exciting to see how it changes some of their perspectives on life and what they want to do as an adult. Only time will tell! I do hope it is a two way street! 

But back to Glasgow and our stop on Castle Street. 

One of the many many cobblestone streets that kept our feet "on their toes." Watching out for missing stones was CRITICAL! 

In the distance...There it is! Glasgow Cathedral!  This was built in 1119 and I will tell you more once we get inside!

James Lumsden. Remember how Scots love memorials!
He was sort of the big guy of Glasgow. 

Provand's Lordship is one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow and one of only 4 medieval buildings to survive to this day. Built in 1471, it was originally part of a hospital and currently has been restored to around the 1700's period, with furnishings as well.

St. Nicholas' Garden is right behind the Provand's Lordship. This is a medicinal herb garden which also provides a sense of calm...or would have, for the homeowners. 

The Necropolis, which is a huge, huge, huge cemetery is just outside the church entrance. It was fenced off, so we could not go into the cemetery (they call them 'graveyards') but we still got some great shots.

Always the sense of humor...we could not pass up the sign that stated...Warning. Men working overhead. ....OK, it was meant for us to watch out for things dropping from above and not for those at rest....but catch that visual!

So...the flat part of the cemetery was next to the church and it just seemed to go on and on over the rolling hills. The highest point in the cemetery / graveyard was reserved for someone very special. Remember that when this cemetery was opened up, Glasgow was known as the "Second City of the Empire" and had many people of great prestiege and wealth. This area became the burial grounds for those highly important people and monuments and headstones were designed by architects and created by great scupltors. They have lasted through the centuries, but most are sandstone and not marble.  There are over 50,000 burials here and over 3500 tombs. Oh, to go back and read some of those tombstones! 

Here he is...the man who stands atop a doric column 58 feet tall..on the highest point of the Necropolis. (Cemetery) His monument has several inscriptions...among them....
"Chief instrument under God of the Reformation in Scotland."
and
"He died rejoicing in the faith of the Gospel."
Notice that he is wearing his Geneva robes and has a Bible in his extended right hand.
His body, however is not buried here, under the memorial. It is actually under a car park in Edinburgh, the city where he died.
John Knox

Not everyone in the Necropolis lived to be 'old' but a lot of them were men and women of faith. Can you just imagine this place at the Rapture? Photos just do not do this justice...this place just goes on and on.

So much for growing old...just live each day to the fullest and enjoy every opportunity that God places in your path! "It is Well With My Soul" is a song that comes to mind...yes, to be at Peace with God on a daily basis....that is real living!

Get ready to enter the Cathedral.....next post!