Photo-a-Day (Sunday, 22nd September, 2024)
High Alter and Stained Glass Window
Apart from the magnificent stained glass window, the Chancel built in 1845 is more or less the same as the one built in 1620 and contains many interesting features.
The High Alter, probably 17th century in origin was restored in 1891 whilst the roof above quite likely contains medieval work and was last restored in 1993.
Photo: Colin Traynor (iPhone)
Lovely pic,it is altar though,not alter.
Isn't that a wonderful window !
The ceiling reminds me of the church in the village of Kokarri in Samos painted with the sky, moon & stars. Unfortunately the church is still closed because of damage caused by the Turkish earthquake. It lifted the dome & moved it sideways before coming back down to earth.
Great pic Colin.
What a lovely church beautiful.
I have been fortunate to have visited a great many Churches and Cathedrals throughout Europe mesmerised by their beauty and history. Zaragoza, Milan, Cologne and Chartres with its cobalt blue stained glass widow a marvel of the Middle Ages amongst my most memorable.
And yet we have so many local churches with as much beauty each with fascinating histories to reveal.
Very much in the Anglo Catholic tradition and less prominent now in the Church of England.
Is the Mayor's stall still at the back with the Wigan coat of arms?
Jean, a silly basic spelling error, I blame it on gremlins in my computer!
I sincerely hope it doesn’t just become a ‘museum’. (If it’s not already.) These Church buildings were built to the glory of God with donations from the poor as well as the wealthy. I imagine the beautiful stained glass windows helped the poor iliterate to understand the Bible stories. I used to love hearing the bells when I lived in Scholes over half a century ago. Just wondering if the stained glass is from the original building before this one. I have a feeling they aren’t.
I put a comment on earlier but it doesn't appear to have been uploaded. It was just to say today's picture is beautiful. People's comments of churches they have visited reminded me of one of the the most remarkable churches I have ever been in ......the Italian Chapel on Orkney. It was made by the Italian Prisoners of War from two nissen huts joined together. The altar is breathtaking. My daughter Ashley got married on Orkney some years ago and we saw the chapel then. I still have the little booklet with the story of how it was built. You can view it via Google.
Helen, it is a lovely church and window, I have since discovered that there is another stained glass window by William Morris, I must visit again to take a picture of this.
Gary, It used to be referred to as a 'High' Church which I think meant that the services were more in the 'Catholic' tradition.
Also I am sure that the Mayors Stall is still there, I am sure he was sat in it when I went to a Remembrance Sunday Service last year.
Great photo Colin, I also send a big 'Thank You' to the cleaners who keep the interiors of churches gleaming.
I remember on a school town centre history field trip in the 1960s being shown in All Saints church the Manx Coat of Arms i.e. Legs of Man and how it became to be there, I can barely remember what was said except it was something to do with the Bridgeman's and the civil war, I've no idea if it's still in there and there's nothing on the web about it, but there is an interesting article on a Roman Altar stone from 70 AD and found in the 19th century re-building works which Colin mentioned.
https://thejournalofantiquities.com/2019/07/13/roman-altar-stone-in-all-saints-church-wigan-lancashire/
Helen, in your time at Upholland did you ever go into St Theresa's catholic church, I remember going into there when around 12, and thinking how colourful it was compared to the dull interior anglican churches that I'd been in, it was wonderful, here's a photo:
https://stteresasupholland.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/inside-st-theresas-2.jpg
From here: https://stteresasupholland.wordpress.com/
Don't forget the three rules.
Gremlins must avoid bright light.
Don't get them wet.
Don't feed them after midnight.
When I see church altars I think about all the lies that have been told over the years by priests and vicars who have worked there.
They lie about how good the person in the coffin had been at funerals, they lie about how God will be waiting with open arms to greet them on the other side.
Then you've got couples saying at their weddings about how good they will be to one another.
Absolutely beautiful.
Excellent photo Colin
That comment is a bit childish Tom. How would a priest or vicar know personally how ‘good’ a person was or not. None of us are perfect. Usually he/she relies on the family and friends to provide the eulogy giving a brief biography about the person but that is by the way when a funeral is sought. As for the bridal couple
professing their vows what has it to do with the priest conducting the ceremony how it’s going to pan out during the marriage? How do you know so definitely that God won’t ‘be waiting with open arms’? Just asking as we all have views on that great mystery. :~)
Tom, what a wonderful ray of sunshine you are, have you considered becoming a man of the cloth?
I'm sure Bishop Brennan will be having the perfect parish in mind for you.
You'll certainly be in collaboration with Father Dougal.
Well said, Veronica and Cyril!
There’s still hope for you though Tom… Doubting Thomas came round in the end. ;~)