Earlier this month (8 – 21 July), visitors to St Albans Cathedral were treated to a striking display of twenty-seven meticulously crafted models of cathedrals and castles from around the world, all gathered in the North Transept as part of the Spires and Towers exhibition. The creator behind this remarkable display is Peter Godwin, a long-time St Albans resident whose passion for paper modelling has spanned nearly five decades.

Peter, a retired academic librarian, has called St Albans home for over 40 years. He is now a Cathedral Guide and plays the organ at a local church, and during the weekly Catholic Mass in the Cathedral's Lady Chapel.

“It was great to share my twenty-year labour of love,” Peter said. Moved by the public's response, Peter also noted that he “was amazed at how well it worked in the space and hope it will encourage other local artists to consider exhibiting their work here too.”

The models themselves span a spectacular range of architectural styles and geographic origins, from the soaring spires of Reims Cathedral in France to the baroque beauty of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. Each structure is a testament to Peter’s skill and patience — the result of thousands of hours spent carefully cutting, folding, and assembling pieces of paper into architectural masterpieces.

Peter’s journey into paper modelling began in the 1970s, with his first attempts inspired by Canterbury Cathedral and Hohenzollern Castle. Since then, his collection has grown to include models based on both modern kits and rare historical prints. Among his personal favourites in the exhibition were Cesky Krumlov Castle in the Czech Republic and the Mainz Cathedral — the latter a faithful reproduction of a 19^th century model originally published in Germany.

Paper modelling might seem like a modern hobby, but the craft dates back to the 17^th century. Commercial kits first appeared in French toy catalogues around 1800. Over time, the hobby flourished in countries like Germany and the UK, with firms such as Pullerin and Schreiber producing hundreds of intricate kits for public enjoyment. Though still a niche interest today, it continues to attract dedicated enthusiasts like Peter.

The Spires and Towers exhibition was not just a celebration of architectural beauty, but also a point for visitors, young and old, to marvel at a miniature world skilfully built by hand — a quiet yet profound tribute to the timeless grandeur of cathedrals and the devotion they inspire.

Photography by Angela Mellen