61. NORTH CHANCEL CLERESTORY

The four icons at left fill what became blank windows when the North transept was added. They portray St Mary the Virgin, Christ, St Peter and St Cedd. The icons were created anonymously by Orthodox icon painters. The windows show two angel musicians. They were designed by A K Nicholson and presented by M Burrows in 1905.         PLAN

62. SOUTH CHANCEL CLERESTORY WINDOWS

The original glass in the clerestory windows was clear, but the windows on the South side were replaced by painted glass in 1906. They were given by a former rector, Bishop H F Johnson and his wife as a thank offering for their golden wedding. The six two-light windows portray angels engaged in praise and thanksgiving.

63. CATHEDRA

The cathedra sits below the great East window. This is the bishop’s chair, and the name ’cathedra’ comes from the Latin word for chair. This Church is called a Cathedral because of the presence of this chair. The chair features the arms of the Chelmsford Diocese.

64. SANCTUARY SETTING

The sanctuary of this Cathedral is unusual in that there is no high altar or other grand monument. Instead there is a setting of chairs on either side of the cathedra below the East window. However, there is a beautiful and colourful hanging ‘Glory’ tapestry forming a backdrop – a patchwork of 1520 pieces, made by Beryl Dean.

65. EAST WINDOW

The East window has a colourful history, too long for this space. The original 15th century window was destroyed by extremists in 1641. An unsatisfactory 1825 replacement window was in turn replaced in 1858, and after some redesigning became the window we see today. The glass in the top tracery depicts the Blessed Virgin Mary and eleven disciples; the ten panels below depict the life, ministry and death of Jesus.

66. FINAL THOUGHT

This completes our tour of Chelmsford Cathedral. It is pleasing to think of sitting here in fellowship and companionship at the feet of the Crucfied and Risen Christ.