Celestial Splendor

Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England. It still functions as the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Canterbury was an important spiritual center ever since Augustine, but it became a major pilgrimage destination after the martyrdom of St. Thomas Becket in 1170.

The cathedral has a total of 21 bells in three towers. The oldest bell in the cathedral is Bell Harry, which hangs in a cage atop the central Bell Harry Tower. John Wastell (1460 - 1515) was an English gothic architect responsible for the crossing tower (Bell Harry Tower) of Canterbury Cathedral. This is the magnificent ceiling in that tower.

Celestial Splendor is based on this ceiling and makes its debut at International Quilt Festival in Houston October 31-November 3.

More posts on this quilt to come . . .