41. AMBO

Near the front of the sanctuary area is this ambo or lectern, which was originally part of the pulpit. It is from here that the Scripture is read, and announcements made.    PLAN

42. CATHEDRA

In the Catholic (and Anglican) denominations, a bishop is in charge of a group of churches called a diocese. The bishop is centred at a certain church, and this is signified by the presence of a special chair. In Latin, the word for ‘chair’ is ‘cathedra’, and this gives us the word ‘cathedral’ for the church containing the chair. This cathedra is by woodcarver Ralph Hedley (1848-1913). Notice the ‘M’ logo for the Cathedral on the wall behind.

43. SANCTUARY STEPS

The steps up to the sanctuary bear the words of the Kyrie: ‘Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison’ (Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy). This is another example of the frequent use of text in this Cathedral.

44. LADY CHAPEL

The Lady Chapel is in the Southeast corner of the Cathedral. This chapel is pleasingly uncomplicated with its stained glass window, statue of Virgin and Child, simple reredos and votive candles.

45. LADY CHAPEL WINDOW

The Eastern window (2) of the Lady Chapel shows Our Lady, St George and St John the Apostle. The windows of the two side chapels are similar in design.

46. OUR LADY

A statue of Mary and the Child Jesus stands between two displays of flowers. In front is a large crown of thorns, and before that, a prayer desk. On the floor in the foreground is a grave slab marking the tomb of Fr John Eyre (d.1842).

47. VIRGIN AND CHILD

Mary has been venerated since the early days of Christianity. The Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches believe that Mary, as mother of Jesus, is the Mother of God. Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish preacher and religious leader who has become the central figure of Christianity. Christians believe him to be the Son of God and the awaited Messiah (Christ, the Anointed One) prophesied in the Old Testament.

48. BAPTISTRY

The baptismal font was originally located in the octagonal building attached to the Southwest corner of the Cathedral It was relocated here in 2012, when the Cathedral’s new floor was constructed. Here we see the font and the nearby Paschal candle sited in a fine tiled area featuring the Christian cross.

49. FONT

The font is octagonal in shape, and features carved panels on the sides including a crucifixion scene and various winged creatures – probably originating from the Book of Revelation. Baptism is regarded as the rite of entry into the Church, and the beginning of a life of discipleship in Christ.

50. BAPTISTRY TILING

The floor tiling found in Cathedrals is often a delight to those interested in repeated patterns, and that is certainly true here in St Mary’s.

51. PASCHAL CANDLE

The term ‘Paschal’ comes from the Hebrew word ‘Pesach’, meaning Passover, and relates to the Paschal mystery of salvation. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘Easter candle’ or the ‘Christ candle’. Symbolically it refers to Christ as the Light of the World. Notice the text strip on the wall behind.

52. TEXT STRIP

Around the nave is a long strip of text with names of saints and an exhortation to ‘pray for us’. This portion lies along the South wall of the nave.

53. SOUTH NAVE

As we come near the end of our exploration of St Mary’s, we walk back along the South nave. As with the North wall we observe the text strip already commented on, further Stations of the Cross, and a couple more stained glass windows.

54. SOUTH NAVE WINDOWS

These windows replace earlier stained glass windows destroyed in the Second World War. The left window (19) shows the Northeast industrial heritage of England, while the window on the right (18) is a memorial to Adam Wakenshaw VC. This completes our tour of St Mary’s.