Saturday 21 July 2012

PALE AND INTERESTING


We chanced upon this architectural gem last week. It is the 18th century Gothic revival church of St. Mary Magdalene at Croome D'Abitot, Worcestershire; a garden temple of a church designed by Lancelot "Capability" Brown as an "eye-catcher", to compliment the landscaped grounds of Croome Court.


The interior is equally delightful, having been designed by Robert Adam in the new Gothick style, with vaulted ceilings, intricate centrepieces, and a  simple, geometric marble and slate floor.


A group of 17th century monuments were transferred from the earlier church,  contrasting in their opulence with this pretty, airy interior. 

                                                            
Here is the effigy of John, 4th Lord of Coventry (d.1687) by Grinling Gibbons, his hand reaching out to Faith.



Here lies Thomas, 1st Lord Coventry (d.1639), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, and across from him is his daughter-in-law, Mary. She is holding a baby, indicating that she died in childbirth, and two other children kneel at her feet.




Down the hill from the church the house, recently acquired by the National Trust, is a work in progress having had various occupants over the past 70 years including the Dutch Royal Family (during WW2), a school and, for a while, members of the Hare Krishna movement who updated the colours on these ornate plaster mouldings.


Inside the house the NT invited us to answer this question.

The visit to the beautiful church on the hill suggested that - at least once upon a time - it was what you could buy if you had the money. We wonder if that is still true...

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2 comments:

  1. Hello, Nilly!
    Isn't there a wonderful feeling of peace here in these pictures...I must admit that I love visiting churches on my travels too!
    loved the photograph with the church in the back ground and the wild flowers...
    Just lovely!

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  2. Yes,Maria, I feel the same though I'm not religious. Churches have a wonderful calm atmosphere.

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