Coventry

Abstract

"Before I came to Coventry I had the impression that there was a new spirit abroad in the life of the Christian church here. That, of all places in the country, Coventry was in the van in ecumenical relationships. Having lived and worked in the situation for over two years, I have come to see it as no more ecumenically minded than most other places in England at this time, and, in some respects, definitely behind. Undoubtedly, Coventry owes its public image to the Chapel of Unity. Visitors to the city will recall it as a tall circular structure adjacent to the Cathedral. Noble in concept, it has fallen down, as with so many other things, in its execution. · It is being paid for (there is still £12,000 owing of the £82,000 it cost) and administered by a joint council representative of all the protestant communions in the city. In view, however, of the fact that our ecumenical relations are less advanced than they appear it is unfortunate that this chapel should stand as it does adjacent to the buildings of any one communion, and that access to it should invariably be "through the Cathedral'', and that it should be known as "The Chapel of Unity, Coventry Cathedral""