62. HIGH ALTAR
At centre of the Sanctuary is the high altar. The carpet in the foregound shows the Diocesan crest with an image of the Cathedral at the top, and two accompanying angels. The deer at bottom is an allusion to the stag of Stag Hill. The altar carries six large candlesticks, and there are two even larger candlesticks at the side. A stylized crucifix hangs on the wall behind.
63. HIGH ALTAR CROSS
The painted cross is an adaptation of the St Damiano crucifix which is said to have commanded St Francis to ‘go and repair my church which you see falling in ruins’. The original is in the basilica of Santa Clara in Assisi.
65. TREASURY I
The Treasury holds not only the Cathedral silver but a large collection of chalices, patens, flagons, alms dishes and some curiosities gathered in from parishes within the Diocese of Guildford. The Treasury displays memorabilia connected with the Cathedral highlighting its history.
66. TREASURY II
The Treasury has a changing display of recent acquisitions and loan items. Many of the older cathedrals, particularly on the Continent, have Treasuries, so visitors are constantly surprised to find these hidden treasures in a relatively modern Cathedral.
67. TREASURY III
From a twelfth-century bronze thurible cover to a twenty-first-century silver gilt ciborium, the collection spans the centuries. There is a copy of the Bishops’ Bible: an English translation of the Bible which was produced under the authority of the established Church of England in 1568. It was substantially revised in 1572, and the 1602 edition was prescribed as the base text for the King James Bible that was completed in 1611.
68. NORTH AMBULATORY LOOKING EAST
Coming out of the Treasury, we can look Eastwards down the North ambulatory to the door to the sacristy. This is a private area where the clergy prepare themselves before services. Above the sacristy door is the crest of John Harold Greig, First Bishop of Guildford.
69. DIOCESE MAP ON NORTH SIDE
Along the walls of this ambulatory there are several items of interest. On the North side is a map of the Guildford Diocese, showing the churches of the Diocese. This map was designed in 1954 as a school project by John Clark, a 17-year-old school boy from Godalming.
70. DIOCESE MAP ON SOUTH SIDE
Almost opposite is another more elaborate and modern map of the Diocese and its churches. This was designed by the same John Clark on his retirement.
71. HMS GANGES AND WRENS’ MEMORIAL
The remaining two items of interest in this ambulatory are shown here. One is a water-colour painting of the sailing ship HMS Ganges. From here came the timbers of the large wooden cross at the East end of the Cathedral which was used in 1933 to mark the site of the new Cathedral. There is also a remebrance book which contains the names of all former Wrens who contributed in 1979 to monies raised for the two Wrens’ windows in the North nave aisle.
72. TO THE CHILDRENS’ CHAPEL
We return to the nave, and walk across to the Children’s Chapel which is just East of the South transept. Above the Gothic arched doors is the text ‘Do all to the Glory of God’. This is the motto of the Girl Guides, and the gates are known as the Girl Guide Gates. They also carry an emblem of the Girl Guides. There are also Boy Scout Gates.
73. CHAPEL CEILING
The pale blue ceiling of the Chapel depicts the rising sun and traces of angel wings and tongues of fire.
74. THE CHAPEL
There are steps to three arched alcoves on the East wall, and four large figures in the corners of the chapel. The chapel contains a book of remembrance of children who are no longer with us. It is a place for bereaved parents to come for peaceful remembrance and reflection. Many leave cards and mementos to mark special occasions.
75. CHAPEL CORNER FIGURES
The chapel is also a space for younger visitors to use and provides a much more ‘to-scale’ environment for children, than the large setting of the Cathedral nave. The chapel has a number of decorative features including four large carved wooden figures in the corners: angels – three musical and one pensive.
76. SPIRAL STAIRCASE
Leaving the Children’s Chapel we proceed Eastwards along the South ambulatory. Almost immediately we come to a spiral staircase leading up to the organ console.
77. CATHEDRAL BANNER AND CROSS
Items of interest in this ambulatory include the official Cathedral banner. This has the official name of the Cathedral: ‘Cathedral Church of the Holy Spirit in Guildford’, and the now familiar image of the descending dove with text ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’. There is no explanation of the wooden cross, which is probably a small replica of the cross at the East end of the Cathedral.
78. (NOT) DOWN THE STAIRS
Towards the end of the South ambulatory, stairs lead down to the right. These are closed to the public, but must lead to the crypt. We learn more of this shortly. Two windows open to the stair landing, in memory of Norman and Lorna Baldock who were faithful members of the Cathedral. Two memorials at the top of the stairs remember the lives of Palestinian Police who served in the Holy Land during the British Mandate 1920 – 1948.
79. CHARLESTON BANNER
Almost opposite the stairs is a dresser and the Charleston Banner. This banner was embroidered by Miss I.L. Charleston in memory of her brother who died at Ypres in 1915. The banner took 25 years to complete and was a gift to the Cathedral. Curiously, the brother’s name is not mentioned!
80. CHAPTER HOUSE
The door facing directly along the South ambulatory is that of the Cathedral Chapter House. Traditionally the Chapter House is where the monks of a monastery would meet together to study the ‘chapter’ for the day; this is a modern version in which Cathedral business is transacted. The Diocesan coat of arms is displayed in the window.
