Heritage Open Days at All Saints and Martyrs, Langley

Anthony and Erin Cosgrove visiting All Saints & Martyrs Church to see the Langley Cross

People have travelled from Prestwich, Whitefield and Wardle over the last three days to visit All Saints and Martyrs Church on Wood Street, Langley during Heritage Open Days.

Although quite young in heritage terms, the church is proud to be the home of the Langley Cross. The unique 37 foot tall cast aluminium sculpture is the work of Geoffrey Clarke RA who is also responsible for some well known pieces of artwork in Coventry Cathedral including the Crown of Thorns above the altar in the Chapel of Christ the Servant and the Golden Cross which has recently been restored and is now on display again after nearly two decades.

The almost fifty year old cross on Langley is full of Christian symbolism and people today continue to see different symbols for themselves within the design. Amongst other aspects, Geoffrey Clarke himself said of the design that the supporting shaft of the cross represents the five wounds of Christ and that the sphere to the right is the earth, which appearing small in relation to the cross, would seem to put things into perspective.