Religion: Chartres, 1260-1960

(2 of 2)

The architects who planned this greatest of Gothic churches, the sculptors and stonemasons, wandering guildsmen and artisans of glass who labored on it for generations, are as anonymous as the men and women of the countryside who counted it their pious privilege to drag stones to the site. Last week the faithful of a far more individualistic time celebrated their work and the seven centuries between in a High Mass with 50 altar boys, vicars, priests, friars, bishops, archbishops and ten orders of nuns. Said Maurice Cardinal Feltin of Paris: "The cathedral has accomplished its mission over the years—it has revealed the grace of God. It is one of the privileged meeting places of God and man."