I visited Chichester Cathedral's Glowing + Alive exhibition - here's what I thought

Apparently the Bishop hates it and says he can feel it looming over him.

A cathedral visitor soon after John Piper’s High Altar tapestry was installed in 1966 certainly agreed with him.

G H Eggers from Middleton-on-Sea wrote a letter to the then Dean of the Cathedral about attending with his wife and friends to take Holy Communion to start the new year in 1967.

"To our amazement, on entering the Cathedral, we found that in place of the dignified Altar and Screen was a garish backcloth hanging behind what one now assumed to be an Altar,” he said.

“The dignity of the Cathedral was lost in this incongruous setting. We did not partake of Communion, as we felt it a mockery amidst these flamboyant surroundings.”

This letter is on display as part of Glowing + Alive – an exhibition to mark the 60th anniversary of the tapestry.

Alongside it is another letter praising the work, which gave the exhibition its name. This correspondent said: “I felt here was something that was glowing and alive and symbolic of what the church must and should be in this present age.

"It took away the feeling that Christianity is old and crumbling like the Cathedral.”

However you feel about it, John Piper’s tapestry is certainly striking. It’s huge, modern and vibrantly coloured and you can’t miss it as you enter the building.

The Cathedral has now become well known for mixing its traditional architecture with modern installations, But back in 1966 it was ground breaking and a bold move for Dean Walter Hussey to commission it.

Many, like me until I attended the exhibition launch, will know little about the artist and how the tapestry came into being.

Glowing + Alive, put together by Canon Treasurer, Vanessa Baron and Visitor Experience Manager, Rebecca Lewry-Gray. tells that story, showing Piper’s interest in churches and other works he created, alongside postcards, letters and books that influenced him.

Alongside the exhibition there is Ashes to Fire – colourful artworks based on Easter days by contemporary artist Alice Carter, who is based in Plumpton.

Glowng + Alive runs until November. What do you think of the tapestry? Me? I’m a Marmite fan.