BEVERLEY MINSTER.
Built in far other times, those sculptured walls
Attest the faith which our forefathers felt,
Strong faith, whose visible presence yet remains;
We pray with deeper reverence at a shrine
Hallowed by many prayers. For years, long years,
Years that make centuries—those dimlit aisles,
Where rainbows play, from coloured windows flung,
Have echoed to the voice of prayer and praise;
With the last lights of evening flitting round,
Making a rosy atmosphere of hope.
The vesper hymn hath risen, bearing heaven,
But purified the many cares of earth.
How oft has music rocked those ancient towers,
When the deep bells were tolling; as they rung,
The castle and the hamlet, high and low,
Obeyed the summons: earth grew near to God,
The piety of ages is around.
Many the heart that has before yon cross
Laid down the burden of its heavy cares,
And felt a joy that is not of this world.
There are both sympathy and warning here;
Methinks as down we kneel by those old graves
The past will pray with us.
Beverley Minster is a remarkable example of Perpendicular Gothic style and is said to be the most impressive church in the UK that is not a cathedral. There has been a religious building on the spot since at least 700 AD, when St John of Beverly founded a monastery. A later church burned down in 1188, and the present building was started in 1220, though it took 200 years to complete.
It is said that the two towers on the West Front inspired Westminster Abbey.
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