41. PROCESSIONAL CROSSES

A processional cross is carried at the head of a procession of clergy. There are two crosses here. The Cross at left was given in memory of Canon E C W Fleischer, Vicar of Christ Church St Arnaud 1923 – 1925. Died 11th December 1925. The Cross at right bears the Cathedral arms, and was given in memory of Melville Charles James, Bishop of St Arnaud 1926 – 1950.     INDEX

42. SANCTUARY SEDILIA AND PANELLING

There are a great number of chairs in this sanctuary! The plaques on this panelling in the Southeast corner of the sanctuary read: • ‘The fan over the altar is in memory of Beverley Merle Cornwell, Died 24th October 1974. The gift of her family.’ • ‘In loving memory of Clement Arthur Grey, Priest, Rector and Canon-Residentiary of this Cathedral Church from 15th Feb 1955 until his death on 7th Dec 1956. The aumbry is given by the vestry and congregation and the sanctuary lamp by his widow and two children. R.I.P.’

43. CHAIRS AND CATHEDRA

More chairs, and likely more than one cathedra ... . Both chairs with purple cuhions might have been cathedra, and especially the one on the right with inscription: To remember Melville Charles James, First Bishop fo St Arnaud and his wife Cecille 1926, 1950.. The gift of their son Brian. At right is the ‘old cathedra’ – the seat of the bishop of the ‘old cathedral’. The aumbry, holding the reserved Elements of the Sacrament is in the corner.

44. NORTH SANCTUARY WINDOWS

These two lovely windows in the North wall of the sanctuary show two ladies mentioned in the Book of Acts. At left is Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God. (Acts 16:14) At right is Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek), who lived in Joppa. She was always doing good and helping the poor. (Acts 9:36)

45. SANCTUARY LAMP

The sanctuary lamp is a candle or small light left lit in the sanctuary of a church, especially (in Catholic churches) a red lamp, indicating the presence of the reserved Sacrament. We have seen that this was a gift of the family of Clement Arthur Grey, Priest of this Cathedral.

46. CATHEDRA BANNER

The cathedra is a rather grand chair found in cathedrals, signifying that this is the ‘seat’ of the Bishop. It is from here that such a church gains the name ‘cathedral’. The Coat of Arms of the then-Diocese is displayed here on the canopy.   

47. PLAQUES

These two brass plates are found next to the cathedra. They are memorial plaques for Allen Ernest Winter 1903 – 1997, Second Bishop of St Arnaud 1951 – 1973, and of his wife Eunice Eleanor Winter (nee Sambell) 1914 – 2004.

48. CROZIERS

Standing by the cathedra are two Bishop’s staffs, or croziers. They are traditionally in the form of a shepherd’s crook, indicating the pastoral role of the bishop. There is an inscription on a silver plate attached to each staff, showing they were presented to the First and Second Bishops of St Arnaud.

49. EAST WINDOW

Traditionally, most cathedrals have a ‘Great East Window’ which can be seen and admired from the nave and the sanctuary. When a cathedral evolves from a parish church, this does not always work out. For Christ Church Old Cathedral, the chancel was completed in 1924, and the Diocese was proclaimed in 1926! Was there foreknowledge? In any case, there is an attractive East window here.

50. OUTER LIGHTS

The East window is made up of three lights. At left is portrayed King David playing his lyre. How fortunate that only one Old Testament King was musical! (In fact, King Solomon was also musical, but he seldom appears in stained glass windows.) I assume that it is St Paul the Apostle who is portrayed at right – this based on his halo, sword and scroll of scripture.

51. CRUCIFIXION WINDOW

The centre light, and central focus, of the East window is a crucifixion scene, with Jesus nailed to the Cross, and gathered around, his Mother Mary, St John, and St Mary Magdalene at the foot of the Cross. The inscription I.N.R.I (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews) is placed at the top of the Cross. This completes our tour of Christ Church Old Cathedral.