Seventy-five years ago this month, Bristol’s medieval Temple Church was hit by a bomb during the Blitz. The ruined remains – walls with no roof, a leaning tower, a few stunted pillars – are rarely open to the public. However, for 24 days (until 21 November) it has been reawakened as the place of congregation it once was. American artist Theaster Gates has designed Sanctum, a church within the church, using materials collected from around Bristol, within whose space an intricate and continuous programme of music and sound has been stitched together so that visitors will see a performance at any time, day or night. The intention is that the abandoned church will be a place where people can step off the wheel of the city and find sanctuary. “It’s sacred because
05 November 2015, The Tablet
Matters sacred and profane
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