Whilst the existing ‘High Altar’ remains untouched, a new ‘forward’ Altar is now in use. This can be moved aside as and when required.
Altar table Seasonal Panels
Four fabric panels, stretched over wooden frames, hang in turn on the front of the altar, each with colours and shapes depicting particular seasons or celebrations of the church year.
The colour, movement and symbolism in their design, are jewel-like on the ash wooden altar, in its setting of oak floors, stone steps and the darker furnishings and wall panels of the chancel and sanctuary behind. Each panel catches the eye of all who enter the church – so drawing attention to the altar, which is the central focus for worship, yet not dominating nor detracting from the altar itself.
Sometimes, and particularly on Good Friday and Easter Eve, the altar will stand without any coloured frontal. Then the dark trinary cross on the lighter wood of the altar base will be clearly evident. Its simplicity will tell its own story and likewise invite contemplation.
Green Frontal Panel
Green is the colour of growth. This panel will be hung between the Christmas season and Lent, and during the Trinity season from Pentecost until All Saints’ tide.
The design for this panel has been made up with layers, beginning with a textured base of mottled green. The second layer is of applied pieces of fabric, hand-dyed and embroidered, giving depth and energy to the panel. The negative spaces within the four main sections of this layer form a cross on an angle. Then the uppermost layer consists of pieces of sheer silk organza, again forming a cross within the spaces between them.
The composition has an energy suggesting a circular rotational movement. The circle is one of the oldest Christian symbols: with no end and no beginning, it depicts God’s love which is ever present and all encompassing – thus being an apposite symbol for the Trinity season. The energy of the upward shapes also portrays growth.
Red Frontal Panel
Red is a regal colour and also the colour of blood, so is associated with suffering. This panel will be shown on Palm Sunday and during Holy Week, on days commemorating martyr saints, and also between All Saints’ Day and Advent. Although coloured hangings are traditionally removed for Good Friday, red is also the colour for that day. Furthermore, the colour red is associated with the fire of the Holy Spirit, so this panel will also be hung on the Day of Pentecost.
This design has been made up in layers, beginning with a textured base of mottled red. The next layer is of applied pieces of fabric, hand-dyed and embroidered to give depth and energy to the panel. The uppermost layers are the brightest in colour, using hot yellow and orange to depict the intense pain and suffering of Christ. The sharp segments form a circular crown of thorns, beneath which there are five vermillion coloured shapes, symbolising Christ’s five crucifixion wounds.
The bright colours and shapes also symbolise the tongues of fire at Pentecost, with their flowing movement depicting the wind of the Holy Spirit.
Purple Frontal Panel
The purple panel is for use during Advent and Lent.
Advent is about promise, in the period of anticipation and preparation looking towards the momentous coming of Christ. Lent is about penitence and reflection, leading up to the passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. All these elements have fed this design.
The panel has a shaft of light that begins as a thin beam at the base and gradually expands as it reaches upwards towards the cross and the top surface of the altar. The circular formation at the base looks inward as a reminder of penitence, and from that small beginning grows an energy that stretches up to flourish in the light of God’s love. The color blue is also suggestive of the Virgin Mary, who was involved at the incarnation and standing by the cross.
White Frontal Panel
White is the colour of joyful celebration and purity. Gold, too, is for celebration. This panel is to be shown throughout the Christmas and Easter seasons, and on Trinity Sunday, All Saints’ Day and other festivals commemorating saints, and on other festal occasions.
Often altar panels in white seem insipid and un-dramatic from a distance, with the pale colour not evoking the energy found in other stronger colours. With this in mind, the artist has invited three shades of bright gold and an element of red to give the panel more gravitas. This layered design is intended to be simple yet able to deliver a clear visual message.
The red triangular form in the bottom right corner is a reminder of God the eternal Trinity, and of the blood of Christ. The golden flames from the heart of this shape move up towards the cross, which changes colour as it gets closer to the top. As if light were emanating from the centre, the spiral gains width with each turn and the heat and power of the cross lights up the panel, so that the celebration of the resurrection bursts forth from it.
The Frontals for the High Altar prior to the Reordering of 2006, are shown in the following pictures, although they are not currently in use today. Facsimilies of these for use on the Pulpit lectern, were also in use prior to the Reordering of 2006.
