British Pathe

Coventry, West Midlands.

L/S of three huge windows made of square blocks of glass, some of which are murals. M/S of the windows - murals are seen better but still unclear what is on them. L/S of the church's interior - very modern design. A priest is talking to young couple showing them the...

Coventry, West Midlands.

L/S of three huge windows made of square blocks of glass, some of which are murals. M/S of the windows - murals are seen better but still unclear what is on them. L/S of the church's interior - very modern design. A priest is talking to young couple showing them the marvels of modern church design. This is Christ Church in Cheylesmore, Coventry, designed by Alfred Gardner. "The Bishop of Coventry, Dr. Cuthbert Bardsley and the vicar of Christ church (seen in the film) The Reverend Robin Blandford, feel that if people are to be attracted to church these days they can't be expected to sit in Medieval discomfort."

C/U shot of a chandelier with a little angel figure under the light bulb. M/S of the altar. Cross occupies the central position on the wall and figures of the saints are around it. M/S of Reverend Blandford and the couple walking towards the altar. M/S of the altar table with two vases with carnations on it and two angels on the wall. C/U shot of the altar detail - three angels surrounding the cross. C/U shot of one of the angels. C/U shot of richly carved Bishop's chair. M/S of the table with wine paten and the alms dish. C/U shot of a bible placed before altar. M/S of the Reverend Blandford climbing up the steps of a pulpit. He shows to the couple the carvings on the pulpit. Couple admires the carvings. C/U shot of one of the carvings (St Luke) as the girl touches it lightly with her finger. Follow C/U shots of carved St Matthew and St John.

C/U shot of the clock with two angels - one at each side. M/S of a font. Reverend Blandford opens the font for the couple to see it. C/U shot of one of the window murals depicting baptism. C/U shot of another window mural. M/S of the church tower from the outside with large white cross on it. Follows a succession of shots of three other contemporary churches - lots of glass and concrete. One is the church of St John the Divine in Willenhall designed by Basil Spence, the architect of Coventry Cathedral.
Note: Towards the end of the film a few frames are missing so the track lasts longer then mute neg.