I went to visit a modern Roman Catholic church the other day in order to see their magnificent ceiling, which is a replica of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, Rome.
The Sistine Chapel was famously painted by Michelangelo between 1508-1512. The one I visited on Thursday was reproduced by local artist Gary Bevans between 1988-1994.
The Sistine Chapel is a totally different shape and height to The Church of the English Martyrs in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, but Gary was trained as a sign-writer, and the proportions are amazing.
One of the most interesting things for me was the fact that there is a very old barn next door to the church. Before the modern church was built services were held in this barn. When the plans were put forward to build the modern church all kinds of amazing synchronicities came about to make it happen. There is an Anglican church in Goring, built in Norman times (but restyled by the meddling Victorians!), and as we know most churches were built on ancient Sacred Sites, so I wonder whether the modern Catholic church is sitting on a power spot?
I certainly felt none of my usual vibrational connection that I get when on a power spot, but that could be due to discomfort on finding myself surrounded by the trappings of Catholicism.
I would like to go back and take a look around outside on my own (we had to book to go in, and were kept a close eye on all the time we were there). There were no Yew trees either! I bet the Anglican church, St. Mary’s has got one!
Anyway, the ceiling and other painted images were impressive.
