Two paintings hang in the Northwest corner of the nave. Depicted here are: Rt Revd Melville Charles James, Bishop of St Arnaud 1926 – 1950, and Rt Revd Allen Ernest Winter, Bishop of St Arnaud 1951 – 1973. Not pictured is the third and final bishop, Rt Revd David Hubert Warner Shand, Bishop of St Arnaud 1973 – 1976. In 1976 the Diocese was amalgamated into the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo. INDEX
22. HISTORIC CABINETS
Also in this corner stand two glass cabinets containing old photographs, old Bibles, a Bishop’s cope, and three brass vessels – all with historic connections to Christ Church Old Cathedral.
23. NAVE
We look out on the nave with a sense of awe and wonder. There are strong timber accents from the pews and the inspiring roof lines. Colour and interest are added by the stained glass windows lining the sides. And our eyes are drawn to the simple altar and sanctuary. In particular we notice the cut-out cross at the top of the East nave gable.
24. NAVE ROOF
Probably the most memorable features of this Church building are the nave mini-transepts and the corresponding wooden rooflines. Traditional cathedrals are often remembered for their nave vaulting; this comes close!
25. NAVE BLANKETS
Regular church-goers usually know to look out for pew cushions to sit on, but here we find blankets. There must be some cold mornings in St Arnaud!
26. NORTH NAVE WINDOWS
The beautiful windows of the North nave show various events in the life of Jesus. From left we see: • Jesus on the way to the Cross, talking to the women of Jerusalem. • Christ risen from the dead, a Roman centurion looking on in awe. • The ascension of Christ. • Jesus pictured as the Good Shepherd. There is a memorial inscription at the base of each window.
27. LOOKING BACK
Standing at the front of the nave, we can look back and enjoy the windows on the North side.
28. SOUTH NAVE WINDOW WALL
There is a similar set of windows on the South side, along with the now familiar wooden separators. Notice the white banner on the wall at left.
29. SOUTH NAVE WINDOWS
These four windows show, from left: • A modern depiction of Christ with the word FAITH below. • A reproduction of Holman Hunt’s famous painting, ‘Behold I stand at the door and knock.’ (Revelation 3:20) • The Annunciation, where the angel reveals to Mary the coming birth of Jesus. • A lovely Nativity scene.
30. SANCTUARY
At left is the North door to the nave with stained glass above. There are three items on the adjacent wall, and nearby stands the Paschal candle. At right we glimpse the lectern and an interesting metal sculpture behind. The central arch leads us through to the narrow sanctuary with its altar.
31. LECTERN AND METAL SCULPTURE
Traditionally the lectern is the place from where the Bible is read on a Sunday, and notices given. In the absence of a pulpit, I assume that sermons are preached from here as well. In the background we see a golden Cross with a metal sculpture below. I can find no information about this artwork, but I assume it is Christ with light radiating from around his head, and holding the Shepherd’s crook.
32. CHAIR AND DESK
This chair and desk are located by the side wall near the lectern. I hesitate to call the chair a Glastonbury chair as the joints are not pegged and it does not have the characteristic arms, although I notice that the desk is pegged. The plaque is indistinct but reads: ‘James Stall, Given in memory of George Bartlett, Lay Canon 1971’. The stall is named after Bishop James.
33. TRINITY BANNER
This Trinity banner features the names of the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – with a golden budded cross behind. The circle and rays suggest the light of the sun, and there is an allusion to the Celtic Cross.
34. NORTHEAST NAVE
We move to the other side of the nave, near to the North nave door. At left is a place for lighting a candle, and a suggested prayer. To the East of the door is the sanctuary platform with its altar rail supported by crosses. On the wall here are three interesting and very different items.
35. STAINED GLASS
The door has a single glass panel near the top which incorporates the coat of arms of the Cathedral. Above the door is a short stained glass window depicting the Archangel Michael. Michael and Gabriel are recognized as archangels; The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches also recognize Raphael as an archangel.
36. PLAQUE, BANNER, CRUCIFIX
The colourful plaque at left is in memory of the Revd Arthur Preece, who was Vicar of Coffs Harbor, NSW, and passed away in St Arnaud in 1925. The tapestry shows the Trinity knot (Triquetra) with interlaced circle, and is one of the best known symbols in Celtic culture. The Celtic Christian church used it to represent the Holy Trinity. At right is a small Crucifix.
37. ALTAR
The altar is the centre of action in a worship service. It is from here that the Eucharist is served. The three main front panels of this altar show the Alpha and Omega – a term used for Christ in the book of Revelation. At centre is the Lamb with Banner symbol, also a representation of Christ. The little plaque reveals that the altar was given to Christ Church St Arnaud by the Girls Friendly Society.
38. PASCHAL CANDLE
The Paschal candle has a special Easter significance, and shows Christ as the Light of the world. The silver plaque on the support reads: ‘Dedicated to the memory of Tibb Kearnen of St Arnaud 1904 – 1987, a tireless worker in the sanctuary of Christ Church Old Cathedral, presented by her family, March 1933.
39. CELEBRANT’S CHAIR
This chair and desk in the sanctuary are similar to the chair and desk in the nave. The two sets were donated at the same time. This plaque reads: ‘Perry Stall, Given in memory of George Bartlett, Lay Canon 1971’.
40. ORGAN
The organ was installed by George Fincham in 1877, coming from St Mary’s Anglican Church in Caulfield, Victoria. A new case, soundboards and tubular-pneumatic action were added in 1950 by W L Roberts, and electricity in 1961 by Hill, Norman and Beard. In organ jargon it has description: 1m, 7spst, 1c, elpn. Man: 8.8.8.8.4.4. Ped: 16. A Cathedral coat of arms hangs from the pipes, and on the wall to the right is a Canterbury Cross – issued to all Anglican cathedrals as a mark of common faith and community.