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The 9 Best Churches & Cathedrals in Rye, England
Discover the best top things to do in Rye, United Kingdom including Church of the Holy Spirit, St George's Church, Douglas Strachan Stained Glass Windows, St. Mary's Parish Church, St. Thomas the Martyr, St Anthony of Padua, St. Michael's Church, All Saints Church, War Memorial Windows.
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1. Church of the Holy Spirit
2. St George's Church
3. Douglas Strachan Stained Glass Windows
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By hawkes2an - Cranbrook, United Kingdom
The magnificent Douglas Strachan Stained Glass Windows should be seen in their rightful position in the Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Winchelsea, East Sussex as photographs do not really do them justice. Dr Douglas Strachan (1875-1950) was a renowned stained glass artist. Among the other windows he designed were those in the Palace of Peace at the Hague, Netherlands, and the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. On entering the Church your first sight is the east window which is a brilliant example of Dr Strachan's work. The main theme of this window is Praise and Resurrection. At the top of the centre window is Christ on his throne, surrounded by the "ancient of Days". Also at the top of the far left and far right windows are the four elements carrying discs bearing the Signs of the Zodiac. The lights on the far left and far right show some Saints and Martyrs. The three figures in the fourth light from the left are, from left to right, St Thomas of Canterbury (bearing a model of the Church of St Thomas the Martyr, Winchelsea), St John the Baptist and St Paul. At the bottom of the centre light is Earth with a rainbow and horsemen, which are meant to represent the energy of Nature. To the left of the east window the theme of the Lady Chapel Window is Birth with the composition in the centre showing the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Magi. The group above this central composition represents the Holy Innocents whilst the three lights below show the Annunciation (in the centre) with (on the right) Christ in the carpenter's workshop. The light to the far left shows Moses (the Lawgiver) and Joshua (the Warrior) with, behind them, the Ark of the Covenant. The small light at the top shows Moses receiving the Tables of the Law. The small light at the bottom shows Joshua in front of the Gates of Jericho. The light to the far right shows David the King and Isaiah the Prophet. The small light at the top shows Samuel annointing David. The small light at the bottom shows an elderly David instructing Solomon on the building of the Tempkle at Jerusalem. To the right of the east window the theme of the window in the St Nicholas Chapel is Death and Resurrection. The three centre lights is the Fulfilment of Christ's mission on Earth. At the base of the Crucifixion, across the three centre lights, is a representation of The Lasrt Supper. The light on the far left suggest the Baptism of Christ with, at the top, Christ blessing the children and, at the bottom, the morning of the Resurrection. The light on the far right is Christ being mocked and crowned with thorns. At the top is Christ washing the feet of the Disciples with, at the bottom, Christ's appearance to Mary Magdalene at the tomb. The first window on the south wall is The Lifeboat Memorial Window. This window commemorates the heroism of the Rye Harbour lifeboat crew who lost their lives in a great storm on 15 November 1928. In the centre window is Christ, as the Bestower of Peace, sttling the storm whilst, on the left, is St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children, and, on the right, St Augustine, firstArchbishop of Canterbury, landing on our shores in AD 597. The three lights across the bottom show the dramatic story. On te left (in the top left-hand corner) is the stricken ship. In the centre is the lifeboat forcing its way through the horrendous waves whilst, on the right, the anxious figures on shore watch the lifeboat's progress. The next windows on the south wall sre dedicated, first, to Christ as Healer and, then, to Christ as Teacher. The first window shows Christ at the pool of Siloam with, on the left, the Conversion of St Paul with, below, the Parable of the Sower and, on the right, St Giles (the patrobn saint of lepers, beggers and cripples) with his hind. The second window, showing Christ as Teacher, has, on the left, St Leonard visiting prisoners with, below, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. On the right is St Richard, Bishop of Chichester relieving the sick and poor of the parish of St Thomas the Martyr Church with, below, the Parable of the Good Shepherd. The last windows to mention are the War Memorial Windows on the north wall. Dr Strachan's themes for these windows are Land (on the left), Air and Fire (in the centre) and Sea (on the right). The main theme of the Land window is the First Death, showing Adam standing over the body of his dead son with, below, to the right, King Edward I receiving the plans of the present church of St Thomas the Martyr from his architect. The centre window, Air and Fire, is dominated by a cenotaph surrounded by flames symbolising the ideals to which men dedicate themselves and, if necessary, sacrifice their lives. The final window, Sea, features coiling dragons, meant to suggest the irresistible force of the winds which, if uncontrolled, tend to destruction, typifying mankind's passion for good and ill and, thus, hinting at the origin of war. This passion is held in check vby the angel forms above the dragons. These really magnificent windows should be a "must see" on the list of anyone visiting Winchelsea.
4. St. Mary's Parish Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 791 reviews
For more than 900 years the Parish Church of Rye, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, has dominated the hill on which the old town stands. Today, if you wish, you can climb the church tower where, from the top, you can see magnificent views of Rye and the surrounding countryside. St Mary's is open to visitors every day of the year, except for Christmas Day, from 9.15Am - 5.15Pm in summer and 9.15Am - 4.15Pm in winter. Admission to the church is FREE. The Visitor Centre stocks a good range of postcards, Christian greetings cards, prayer cards, books, gifts and Christian jewellery. The Tower, which is open every day (weather permitting) for a charge, has become a popular place for marriage proposals!
Reviewed By CharlesMilneAtkinson - Berlin, Germany
Well worth the very narrow stairs and ladders to get the best view of the town and particularly Rye Castle.
5. St. Thomas the Martyr
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 221 reviews
Reviewed By hawkes2an - Cranbrook, United Kingdom
The Church of St Thomas the Martyr in Winchelsea is a very interesting, historic church both inside and outside. Inside it is light and airy with beautiful stained-glass windows and some interesting graves. Outside, there is evidence of how the church should have developed and, again, some interesting graves; particularly that of Spike Milligan.
6. St Anthony of Padua
7. St. Michael's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
8. All Saints Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By badmintontim - Hastings, United Kingdom
A lovely little historic church with a lovely lady vicar who retires this year but is a great character for the church A lovely old building with great architecture- it is well worth a look if in the area
9. War Memorial Windows
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
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