Crystal bowl returned to Anglican church in Cologne

A crystal bowl that was rescued from the ruins of Cologne Cathedral towards the end of the Second World War has been returned to the city where it will have pride of place in the Anglican Congregation of All Saints.

Mystery still surrounds some of the bowl’s travels, but it is known to have been found among the rubble and debris after sustained bombing raids on the city flatted most business and housing, and left the ancient Cathedral damaged but still standing. When it was found by a British soldier, the crystal bowl contained communion wafers. He took it back to England, where it stayed among his family possessions for some years.

For the past nine years it has been in the possession of St Marks Church, Ocker Hill, Tipton in the West Midlands, where it is presumed to have been handed over by the soldier’s relatives.

A woman from South Lincolnshire, Enid Withers, who lived and worshipped in the Anglican church in Cologne for some years heard about the bowl, and arranged for it to be returned to the city. Clergy at the Cathedral declined the offer of its return there, so it was then offered to Ian Wright the Parish priest of All Saints. It was handed over in a formal ceremony at the beginning of Advent.

Father Ian says; “Recently here at All Saints our crystal lavabo bowl was broken and this bowl although quite large will comfortably catch any drips from my hands. It has particular meaning for us as a living part of the city’s history and a reminder of the many years of peace which have followed the devastation of war”

The enclosed picture shows the Reverend Ian Wright (Anglican Chaplain – Bonn/Cologne) holding the crystal bowl on its recent return.

Tuesday 13th December 2005

For more information, please contact Revd. Paul Needle, Diocese in Europe Communications Officer 01933 312800 or 07833 372439