Sunday, June 30, 2013

Hammerbeam Roof

This is the section of the roof over the altar in the Chapel of St Alban the Martyr at the Royal St George's College, a private school for boys in the Annex neighbourhood. The chapel was intended to be part of a cathedral to be constructed in the late 1800s but the cathedral was never built, leaving us with a magnificently detailed chapel.  The short horizontal beams are called hammers thus making this a hammerbeam roof, the only one in a church in Canada and it is actually a double-hammerbeam since there are 2 hammers along each of the ribs of the roof. The 2 angels look down right above the altar of the chapel.
Taking part in Inspired Sunday. Click here for more churches & other religious buildings.

21 comments:

PerthDailyPhoto said...

This is probably the most incredible ceiling not attached to a cathedral that I've seen Pat..the gold heralding angels and the chandeliers (?) are stunning features as well as the hammerhead beams. So, so interesting to see, merci beaucoup madam :)

Anonymous said...

Spectacular!

TexWisGirl said...

wow! really cool!

William Kendall said...

Beautiful, Pat!

Have a great Canada Day tomorrow!

Jack said...

This is simply astonishing, RedPat. Thanks for showing it.

Deb said...

A beautifully ornate roof, and those angels are splendid.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

can you imagine the time it took to make this ceiling ... so love it. wow, mind blowing for me ... I think I might forget where I was & just stare. ha. ha!! ( :

Lowell said...

Stunning. Never heard of hammerbeam roofs so thanks for that. They just don't make buildings like this anymore!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Wow what a beautiful roof. I've never seen nor heard of a hammerbeam roof.
Thanks for stopping by and visiting my little church.

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Absolutely gorgeous! Twyla

Betsy said...

Magnificent came to mind right away. The craftsmanship is just wonderful.
betsy

Randy said...

Wonderful craftsmanship.

Sally in WA said...

The first word out of my mouth was WOW! That ceiling is impressive! I've never seen anything like it.

Thank you for sharing it in InSPIREd Sunday!

Bev said...

Beautiful workmanship!

Gunn said...

Unique, pretty and lots of work.

Gerald (SK14) said...

such intricate detail - love it

Unknown said...

WOW! Simply amazing! What a ceiling!

Shaun said...

That is mind blowing. my back hurts when i have to change a light fitting. I feel for the guys who had to build something of this magnitude.
Truly awesome

EG CameraGirl said...

It pays to look up. :)

Linda said...

I would just sit and gaze and gaze.

ArtandArchitecture-SF.com said...

I am absolutely speechless, that is one of the most gorgeous pieces of architecture I have ever seen.