May 2012: The First chapel inside the Farm Street Church

The entrance to the church was brilliant

I entered into the church next to the altar and to my right was a little chapel.

This extraordinary altarpiece rears over your head in its intricate gobsmackingly beautiful carvings.

Some closer views of the detail of this altarpiece. Can you imagine the awesome power, quality and abilities of the sculptors who made this wonderful piece?

On the other side of the altar is this lovely mirror which sees down the various shrines on the left aisle.



An African icon?

A beautiful statue of Christ. You can see the anguish on the figure on the right.

This is an amazing statue. Usually sculptures avoid having arms outstretched like this as that puts huge pressure on the joints and can break off. But look at this. Amazing carving.

A view of the base of the altarpiece

A silver icon

The arch between the entrance and the chapel is separated by this glassed in iron gate.

Looking up behind me up at the roof.



The roof is so beautifully done. Looks amazing. What a beautiful place.

here is a panorama, the chapel is just to the left of the main altar.

Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception
London

 

May 2012: The First chapel inside the Farm Street Church

The entrance to the church was brilliant

I entered into the church next to the altar and to my right was a little chapel.

This extraordinary altarpiece rears over your head in its intricate gobsmackingly beautiful carvings.

Some closer views of the detail of this altarpiece. Can you imagine the awesome power, quality and abilities of the sculptors who made this wonderful piece?

On the other side of the altar is this lovely mirror which sees down the various shrines on the left aisle.



An African icon?

A beautiful statue of Christ. You can see the anguish on the figure on the right.

This is an amazing statue. Usually sculptures avoid having arms outstretched like this as that puts huge pressure on the joints and can break off. But look at this. Amazing carving.

A view of the base of the altarpiece

A silver icon

The arch between the entrance and the chapel is separated by this glassed in iron gate.

Looking up behind me up at the roof.



The roof is so beautifully done. Looks amazing. What a beautiful place.

here is a panorama, the chapel is just to the left of the main altar.

Farm Street Church of the Immaculate Conception
London

May 2012: The Amazing entrance to the Farm Street Church

This is the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception at Farm Street, the headquarters of the Society of Jesus. I was educated by them and I tell you, those brothers and fathers have some strong forearms..

Here’s my school photo. Can you locate me? heh, ok ok, I will make it easier for you, Im the fifth from the left, first row standing.

But moving forward 30 years, I am entering the Mount Street gardens

And I look up to see this amazing amazing window. Can you see the delicate tracery? How it forms a series of flower bulbs with beautiful stone work. Absolutely amazing. You know, for some strange reason, I find the stonework more artistic than the stained glass work.

And then this is the doorway.
And what a doorway.

And what beauty. this entire essay is just about this doorway.

The doorway is created in 4 layers, each layer has some amazing sculptures made out of stone. Each layer has a theme.

A rather sad and dyspeptic looking gargoyle.

    

The first layer is of cherubs singing or playing various instruments. A lute and flute

    

A fiddle? cymbals

    

Tambourine and another lute?

    

Reading from a song book and drummer boy?

    

A violin type of instrument? and another pair of cymbals.

The next layer comprises of some fantastic animals.

                        

So we have a fantastic set of gargoyles, griffins, owls, dragons and other associated mythological animals around the second layer.

The third layer continues on with the theme of cherubs playing music.

Beautifully carved, zither, fiddle, a twin pipe set, violin, etc. etc.

The last inner layer does not have any figures but carved leaves and fruit. Very intricate work.

Inside the arch on top of the lintel is a statue of the Virgin.

She has this strange structure on top of her head. Not sure what’s the function of this.

There are cherubs playing around her head.

 
And are also supporting her feet. Fascinating. Can you see how they carved clothes out of stone. Brilliant work. If just the entrance is so beautiful, would the inside of the church be any different? I was not disappointed.