Exploring the story of Coventry Cathedral On the night of 14th November 1940, Coventry and its Cathedral endured a one-off, but relentless, bombing campaign. Overnight, the German offensive destroyed much of central Coventry, hundreds of its people and left its Cathedral in ruins. Only the outer shell of the walls and the tower remained standing.
In the days that followed, two enduring symbols emerged from the rubble: two charred roof-beams which had fallen in the shape of a cross were bound and placed at the site of the ruined altar, and three medieval roof nails were also formed into a cross, which became the original Cross of Nails (now located at the High Altar in the new Cathedral). Shortly after, the words ‘Father Forgive’ – was inscribed on the wall of the ruined chancel, and Provost* Dick Howard made a commitment not to seek revenge, but to strive for forgiveness and reconciliation with those responsible. *A Provost is the head of the Cathedral
During the BBC radio broadcast from the Cathedral ruins on Christmas Day 1940 he declared that when the war was over, we should work with those who had been enemies ‘to build a kinder, more Christ-like world.’ The Cross of Nails quickly became a potent sign of friendship and hope in the post war years, especially in new relationships with Germany and the developing links between Coventry and the cities of Kiel, Dresden, and Berlin. Many were gifted, in thanks and in friendship, to contacts all over the world.
Read this article written after the German bombing attack on the city of Coventry.
On 14 November 1940, at seven in the evening, the Luftwaffe began to bomb Coventry. The skyline turned red like an eclipse of the sun as clouds of cinders, lit red by the blaze, floated down over the great West Midlands city. Coventry seemed to have been hit by a meteorite. The mile-high roar of magnesium incendiary flames created a firestorm in which over 554 people died and twice as many were wounded. Life as Coventrians had known it, lived it and loved it, came to an end that Thursday night. Hitler’s first Blitz on an English city had taken the inhabitants by complete surprise. In the space of 11 hours, buildings and people were torn apart, crushed and suffocated. Three quarters of Coventry’s plane and automobile plants were obliterated; the medieval cathedral was left a hacked-out ruin billowing smoke.
th Summarise what happened to Coventry Cathedral on the 14 November.
How do you think the people living in Coventry felt after that night of bombing?
Do you think they might have been surprised at the response and actions of Provost Dick Howard? Tell me more about your answer.
What would Jesus do?
Look at these passages from the Bible. How did God want his people to behave towards each other?
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
How did Provost Dick Howard follow the example of Jesus following the bombing of Coventry Cathedral?
Do you think it was easy for him to forgive those who bombed the Cathedral?
What difference to do you think it made to the community in Coventry and in Germany to be reconciled and unite in friendship?
Why do you think God wants his people to forgive others and work to bring peace and reconciliation?
Is it possible for enemies to become friends?