Massive monument project wins competition: Rises with the Virgin Mary in Konotop

A monumental Christian structure, the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer, is taking shape in Coleshill, central England, poised to become the United Kingdom's largest monument of its kind. The design, a colossal white ribbon crafted from a million concrete bricks, symbolizes continuous prayer and is inspired by the Möbius strip, representing infinity.

The project, conceived by Paul Bulkeley, founder of the architectural firm Snug Architects, won an international RIBA competition in 2016 against 133 submissions from 25 countries. Construction commenced in the autumn of 2025, following the successful fundraising of £40 million. Architect Renato Benedetti, who chaired the competition jury, praised the design for its "rising, eloquent, sculptural form, elegant spatial articulation, and imaginative site planning," noting its potential to "engage and enchant visitors."

Spanning 80 meters in width and standing 51.5 meters tall, the monument will be visible from nearby major roads and the railway line. Its design intentionally avoids literal Christian symbols, adhering to competition guidelines that called for a universal form with a subtle religious message. The Möbius strip concept effectively conveys the idea of an infinite God and unending prayer.

Composed of 188 prefabricated modules, the monument's million white concrete bricks will each represent a story of answered prayer. The completion of the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer is scheduled for 2028. For scale, it will significantly exceed the height of the Christ the King statue in Świebodzin, Poland, which measures 36 meters.