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Showing posts with label Rosslyn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rosslyn. Show all posts

Friday, July 05, 2019

Tim Wallace-Murphy Passes Away


Dr. Tim Wallace-Murphy has passed away this week after a very long struggle with COPD. He was 89 years old. The Irish-born writer and lecturer—known for his works about the Knights Templar, as well as spiritual and esoteric subjects—was the author of thirteen books over the years, and appeared in countless documentaries. His books included: Hidden Wisdom—Secrets of the Western Esoteric Tradition; Rosslyn—Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail; and The Enigma of the Freemasons—Their History and Mystical Connections.

Brother Wallace-Murphy was a Freemason and a member of Lodge Robert Burns Initiated No. 1781 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was devoted to the support, excavation, and restoration of Rosslyn Chapel over the years.

Tim Wallace-Murphy was born in Galway, Ireland, on the 13th of January 1930. After attending the University College Dublin from 1953-58, he obtained a degree in Medicine, and later one in Psychology. 

Tim spent his final years living in the Languedoc region of southwest France with his wife, Cyndi.

The following message appeared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, July 3rd:
It is with profound sadness that we wish to announce that Dr Tim Wallace-Murphy, 89, has passed away at his home in the South West of France, having been in a ‘slow hurry’ with his battle with COPD. Dying as he put it ‘was not all it cracked up to be’. He was surrounded by loved ones. 
A father, an inspiration and a friend to many, his death will be felt not just in Espéraza but around the world. He was born on 13 January 1930 in Galway to Timothy and Mae Murphy, later describing himself as a Franco-Irish Yiddisher boy with both feet firmly stuck in mid-air. After attending the University College Dublin from 1953 - 1958, he obtained a degree in Medicine and later one in Psychology. He then travelled across Europe and Africa for ten years before returning to England and beginning work as a clinical psychologist.
Through his work, Tim met author Trevor Ravenscroft with whom he co-authored his first book Mark of the Beast in 1988. Following this tome, Tim then devoted his life to the writing and research of the Knights Templar, Rex-Deus and pathways of spirituality.
 
Tim was a dedicated supporter of the restoration and preservation of Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh, Scotland, undertaking excavations and field work with a team of like-minded people, whom would become lifelong friends. From this experience, he produced the book Rosslyn: Guardian of the Secrets of the Holy Grail. It is from this book that Dan Brown used as source material for his own work The Da Vinci Code. Tim found himself subsequently featuring in TV documentaries and began to settle in the South West of France or to Tim, ‘paradise’. 
Tim has had a proud career in community work and politics, having served as the Governor of South Devon Technical College, a TUC secretary, town councillor and a volunteer for the Leukaemia Research Fund. Tim dedicated his life in service to others and helping those who were also brought up spiritually confused on to a spiritual pathway. 
A service for friends and loved ones will be held to remember Tim at a later date; however as in life and death, funds are limited. If you wish to help with the arrangements financially, please use the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-for-tim-wallacemurphy 
Tim left many memories and many will be fondly remembered, such as his remarkable singing ability and razor sharp intellect. When asked shortly before his passing how he was feeling, he commented that “I will feel much better when this bloody thing is all over.” As we grieve, Tim’s humour lasted out to the last.
Requiescat in pace.

Friday, March 23, 2007

Rosslyn Chapel Restoration News


After 10 years under its tin roof lean-to, it looks like Rosslyn Chapel is getting a major infusion of grant money to at last get started on restoration of its interior carvings. The Scottish Lottery and the Historic Scotland fund will be providing £7 million to the chapel.

Have a look at the 360 panorama views of the chapel interior.

The biggest problem at the chapel has been a misguided restoration attempt in the 1950s that actually sealed water inside of the stone and caused more problems than it solved. For 10 years, there has been a roof erected over the tiny building to allow it to dry out. Now restoration can get under way.

This is big news for Freemasons, Knight Templar and Da Vinci Code fans who all have their own interests in the chapel. More articles here and here.

I'm headed for Scotland in May, and it will be my first time visiting the chapel. As a member of the Rosslyn Chapel Trust, I couldn't be happier about this news. I encourage anyone with an interest in supporting the chapel consider joining the trust to do your part in helping to preserve its unique heritage.