Ilkeston Cam on Holiday
w/e 17 November 2024
All of this week's pictures were taken with a Nikon D3300
Part 08 - Buckfast Abbey
There are many places worth seeing on the English Riviera but
we were only there for a few days and on our last day before
returning home, we opted to visit Buckfast Abbey. Buckfastleigh,
where the Abbey is situated, is only about
half an hour's drive from Paignton but a world away from the
bustling seaside town. It did take us a little longer to reach
it though as a fire in the village meant some roads were closed
which necessitated a diversion.
The website
for Buckfast Abbey states that it is
"home to a Community of Roman Catholic Benedictine Monks;
a place of beauty, tranquillity and spiritual nourishment."
The area around the Abbey Church of St Mary (above) includes
various gardens, a Conference Centre, Buckfast Methodist Chapel,
a gift shop, a restaurant and "The Monastic Way" exhibition.
We focused mainly on the Abbey Church and the gardens.
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The choir stalls in the nave seen from a north aisle.
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The organ seen from the south aisle on the other side of the
nave.
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The altar also from the north aisle.
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We walked beyond and behind the altar to access the Blessed Sacrament
Chapel at the east end of the church in order to view the large
stained glass east window.
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Both sides of the chapel also feature stained glass and some
distinctive decoration too.
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As we returned down the south aisle we passed several small chapels.
In this one the Latin inscription translates as "Nothing
is superior to the work of God" which is true despite the
magnificence of the church.
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There are many interesting features in the church, one such being
a memorial to Abbot Anscar Vonier in the south aisle. Briefly
it tells the story of the rebuilding the church - Vonier survived
a shipwreck, became Abbot in 1906. Rebuilding on ancient foundations
began 1904-1906 and one monk trained as a mason with five more
becoming a team of helpers. Consecrated in 1932, the last stone
was put in place in 1937 and the Abbot died in 1938 just as the
work was completed.
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Another interesting feature is the chandelier resembling a giant
crown high above the nave.
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And higher still in the lantern tower ceiling.
We could have spent much longer exploring the church but eventually
moved outside to enjoy the gardens.
Back to Part 07 - Paignton Zoo
- Part 09 - Buckfast Abbey Gardens
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