Ralph Beyer - the importance of Lettering

portrait of Ralph BeyerRalph Beyer (6th April 1921 – 13th February 2008) was  apprenticed to the sculptor and typeface designer Eric Gill and was also taught by  sculptor Henry Moore.   He is recognised for developing lettering from a craft tradition into an art form.  His lettering work on Coventry Cathedral is said to be the most significant work of British public lettering of the 20th century. 

The lintels of the entrance porch bear a statement from the Book  of Genesis, ‘Truly this is none other, But the House of God, This is the Gate of Heaven.’  Beyer handcrafted each letter and imprinted each in the wet concrete.
He also carved a large anchor into the sacrament altar, an early Christian symbol.