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The Story of St Wilfrid's Church

 
 
Cover  -  Front Page  -  St Wilfrid's Church  - The Architect  -  Origin and Early Days  -  Growth  -  Some Dates  -  The Windows
 
East and West Windows  -  North and South Main Aisles  -  The Great Rood, Screens and Organ  -  Chapel of Our Lady
 
Chapel of the Holy Spirit  -  Chapel of St Wilfrid  -  Chapel of St Raphael  -  North and South Choir Aisles  -  The Cloisters and Hall
 

Miscellaneous Gifts  -  Pictures

 

 

 
CHAPEL of OUR LADY

 

Few parish churches are fortunate enough to have a Lady Chapel at the cast end, according to old custom in England. Provision was made for it in the original designs for the church, but it was hardly thought likely to be realised in a generation. Thanks to the generosity of Sir William Nicholson and his family, Mr Leslie Moore was able, in 1935, to "amplify the original conception and bring to bear the same sympathetic and faithful handling which he had already shown in the transept and north porch, which were due to him in 1928. It is only a small building, but full of interest. The ingenious plan, the sturdy exterior, the graceful interior with its narrow aisles and skilful treatment of the vaulting, are alike excellent. Outside, the extra length gives balance to the whole. Inside the effect of light and space seen through the three arches behind the High Altar increases the feeling of size." (Mr S. E. Dykes Bower in the "Architect " for July, 1935).

The visitor, and still more the worshipper, cannot fail to be impressed by the beauty and sense of reverence which this chapel, like the rest of the church, conveys. The Blessed Sacrament is perpetually reserved in a very beautiful aumbry to the left of the Altar. The beautifully carved Calvary above the Altar by Mr Alfred Southwick, R.B.S. should be noted. The painting on the reredos is exquisitely done, and S. Wilfrid's emblem has been cunningly introduced by making the Nativity Star in the shape of a starfish. The whole chapel is lighted from points which are hidden.

The lozenge-shaped or "vesica" window immediately above the Calvary group has its counterpart at the topmost point above the great west window. That at the west is what is called a "majesty," that is, a figure of God the Father, seated and holding an orb, while that in the Lady Chapel, in memory of Miss E. M. Swann, sister of the first Vicar, represents Our Lady and Child, and can be seen from the west through the central arch above the High Altar all down the central passage of the nave. The special interest of this window is that the Holy Child, instead of being seated on His Mother's knee, as is usual, is pictured as standing, in an attitude of authority and benediction. Creation and redemption are thus shown forth at the opposite ends of the church.
 

 

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