In October 2006 St Oswald's became involved in the Sir Basil Spence Archive Project organised by the Lighthouse and the RCAHMS* to mark, what would have been, Sir Basil Spence's 100 birthday.

The Coventry part of the project involved creating a sculpture which reflected the history of Coventry and the lives and architecture of the four Coventry churches designed by Sir Basil Spence.

The sculpture was designed by local sculptor Shiam Wilcox and was inspired by the Chapel of Unity at Coventry Cathedral. The actual decoration of the panels was done by member of the four churches: St Oswald's; St John the Divine, Willenhall; St Chad's, Wood End and the cathedral church of St Michael (Coventry Cathedral). Shiam guided and advised all through and the people from Lighthouse and RCAHMS pitched in and helped as well.

Four of the panels are made up from photographs, documents and anything else we could find relating to each of the churches. Another four relate to Coventry industries; one panel is decorated primarily with bicycle parts, another with car parts, another with ribbons and the fourth with bits of old watches. The final two panels, one relating to the Blitz and the other to the spirit of Coventry, were decorated by Shiam, herself.

The finished sculpture was unveiled at Coventry Cathedral by Sir Basil Spence's son-in-law and business partner, Anthony Blee, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Coventry. The unveiling was followed by a service of Festal Evensong which involved members of all four churches.

Click on the gallery buttons below to see a photo record of the sculpture and it's construction.

*Royal Commission for Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland