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When a flying drone meets the incredible Dom Tower

December 3, 2014 by Andrew Leave a Comment

This video footage was taken by a drone as it explores the area around the 11 meter tall Dom Tower in The Netherlands. This is the tallest church tower in Europe.

History of the Dom Tower of Utrecht

Standing 368 feet, the Dom Tower of Utrecht looms over much of the city and is the tallest church building in the whole of the Netherlands.

Designed by John of Hainaut, construction of the stunning tower began in 1321 and took 61 years to complete due to funding problems. The tower’s size was supposed to demonstrate the power the Catholic Church held locally, but it wasn’t a popular structure amongst much of the clergy.

Indeed, Geert Groote, the local preacher and founder of the Brethren of Common Life, was particularly vocal in his opposition of its construction, arguing that it was too tall, too ostentatious and too expensive.

The tower now stands freely but originally it was attached to the Cathedral of St Martin. The nave of the cathedral was an ongoing building project for much of the medieval period and was still not fully completed when freak weather conditions struck in 1674.

A tornado ripped through the building and left it ruins, but somehow the tower itself managed to survive any major damage. It was left as a single structure while the debris was cleared and even though the cathedral was rebuilt during the 19th century, the tower remains free-standing.

The biggest threat to the future of the Dom Tower occurred in 1836 when a storm heavily damaged its top floor. There were some calls for the building to be demolished, but as it is the city’s main symbol, the decision was taken to restore it instead with work taking five years.

While no longer connected to a house of worship, it is still possible to get married inside its walls. However, it mainly serves as tourist attraction and has its own visitor centre and gift shop.

For a fee, tourists are able to climb its 465 steps and gain unrivalled views of Utrecht and beyond. You do not have to walk up all the steps at once thankfully as there are floors to stop off on, including the area where the tower’s 14 huge ringing bells are.

In Pure Spirit

Have you been able to tour any other impressive churches, cathedrals or temples? Which would you recommend? What’s worth going to see?

The church in Antarctica

February 23, 2014 by Andrew 1 Comment

This is a real church. Funds were collected by a charity called Temple for Antarctica which paid for this Eastern Orthodox, staffed, church. Trinity Church can accommodate up to 30 people and was opened by in 2004 by Theognost, the Biship of Segiyev Posad and the Namestrnik of Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra. The Orthodox church is staffed by one or two volunteer priests who rotate out each year.

The church is on King George Island which is near the Russian Bellingshausen Station in Antarctica. When the priests aren’t busy with Church duties they help maintain the station.

In Pure Spirit

Would you be up for a trip to King George Island and a visit to Trinity Church?

Know of any other impressive church photographs? Share the links in the comments below.

Dr Giles Fraser resigns in support of Occupy London Stock Exchange (#occupylsx)

October 27, 2011 by Andrew Leave a Comment

The clergy of St Paul’s Cathedral are split over how to handle the Occupy London Stock Exchange (#occuplylsx on Twitter) protest. Protesters outside have set up a camp and are refusing to move; they wish to see support the 99% against the corporate greed of the 1%.

The cathedral has been forced to shut over health and safety grounds. While some of the clergy considered using legal powers to force an eviction of the protesters – sending in the police – others, like Dr Giles Fraser were appalled at the idea. Was this anyway for for the cathedral to act? He threatened to resign.

Sadly, today, Dr Giles Fraser felt it necessary to resign in order to support the humane treatment of the protesters outside and St Paul’s Cathedral accepted the resigionation.

The dean of St Paul’s, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles told press;

Giles has brought a unique contribution to the life and ministry of St Paul’s and we will be very sorry to see him go.

“He has developed the work of the St Paul’s Institute and has raised the profile of our work in the City.

“We are obviously disappointed that he is not able to continue to his work with Chapter during these challenging days.

“We will miss his humour and humanity and wish Giles and his family every good wish into the future.”

In Pure Spirit

Do you think Dr Giles Fraser has done the right thing? Has the cathedral authorties acted correctly and fairly during the protest?

What do you think about the Occupy London Stock Exchange protest? Do you agree with their message or their means?

Picture credit: Peter Morgan

The Church of Thundridge near Cold Christmas Lane

February 2, 2009 by Andrew 202 Comments

: Image by sweenpole2001 via Flickr

The old Thundridge church was demolished in 1853. The tower, however, was left in place. At the time Thundridge was one of the oldest churces in this part of England.

The new church was dedicated to Saint Mary and All Saints. It was paid for by a Mr Hanbury in 1858 and cost £9,000.

The original burial ground remains which contains a number of ld tomb and mausoleums. One unusual epitaph for Roger Gardiner and his wife reads;

Roger lies here before his hour,
Thus doth the Gardiner lose his flower.

Thundridge is just shy of three miles north of Ware. The river Rib can be seen from tower.

Locals report tales of wichcraft, vandalism and desecration at the church.

Hauntings

The Church – sometimes known as Cold Christmas church – is believed to be haunted.

A common report is of a ghostly grumbling growl that echoes out from the tower. Reports of the noise became so frequent that in January 2009 the local East Herts Herald sent a camera crew and journalist to investigate.

Another famous tale dates back to 1978 when a terrified local woman reported an entire ghost army marching out of the church. Reports say the ghost army let out a blood-curdling roar and marched straight through the poor woman.

Other reports speak of a figure in a black robe that is sometimes seen in burial ground.

In Pure Spirit

Have you seen ghosts near Cold Christmas Lane, the church or tower?

If you’re a local we’d love to hear what you think about the site!

The death of St John’s Church at Liverpool

January 16, 2009 by Andrew Leave a Comment

: Image via Wikipedia

The area of St John’s Garden in Liverpool was once a burial ground. In 1767 the area contained a small mortuary chapel and general burial site. The construction of St John’s Church began in 1775 and was started by Thomas Litoller. Litoller would use a gothic design that would later influence buildings like St George’s Hall.

The construction of St George’s Hall started in 1854 and when it finished St John’s Church was hard against the west elevation.

The name St John’s Garden comes from St John’s Church as the Church once stood within the grounds of the garden.

The graveyard and cemetery contained about 27,000 bodies before it was closed in 1854. The closure was due to the extension of St George’s Hall and surrounding buildings. Parts of these buildings still remain on the old burial ground.

St John’s Church did not survive long into the construction of St George’s Hall. By 1897 the city had taken the decision to move the Anglican Cathedral to St James’ Mount and close St Johns.

Hauntings

The old area of St John’s Church, cemetery and mortuary is believed to be haunted. St George’s Hall is also believed to contain ghosts.

A hooded figure is sometimes seen slipping into the back of St. George’s Hall from the area of the Gardens where St. John’s once stood. Sounds of wailing and crying are also sometimes heard coming from the area where the church once stood.

The most common reported haunting of the area is of orbs. Odd colours and shapes are sometimes seen floating along at ground level.

In Pure Spirit

Are you from Liverpool or Merseyside? Could you tell that the St John’s Gardens were once a graveyard by looking at them today?

Living TV’s Most Haunted Live* held their final night of Most Haunted Live January in 2009 in St. George’s Hall next to the area St John’s Church and mortuary. The program stationed webcams at the upper corridor room, a lower tunnel corridor, basement room and by a trap door. The series was titled “The Search for Evil” and by night seven a demonic entity which appeared to call itself Jake had been following the crew.

During the last night show In Pure Spirit’s article Demons from the TV: safety tips was the post popular page on the site.

Disclaimer: Links marked with a star* are revenue links.

History of the Dom Tower of Utrecht

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