In detail, the left window by Kempe (1894) is entitled ‘Creation of Angels’. The central window, also by Kempe (1887) is entitled ‘The Fall of Man’. Adam and Eve are clearly seen, and the two figures to the right bear texts: ‘The just shall live by their faith’ (Habakkuk 2:4), and ‘Blessed is the wood whereby righteousness cometh’ (Song of Solomon 14:7). The third window by Kempe (1887) depicts Abraham, Isaac, Joseph and Gideon. PLAN
22. NORTH NAVE AISLE
Next as we move along the North nave aisle, we come to a small doorway with a large coat of arms above, and then four stained glass windows, interspersed with several memorial plaques. The coat of arms belonged to King George III who was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 1760 until 1773.
23. NORTH NAVE WINDOWS
Sixteen figures are portrayed in these four windows. From left they are: • Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Gideon (Kempe 1887); • David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Ezra (Kempe 1886); • Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel (Kempe 1886); • Hosea, Micah, Zechariah, Malachi (Kempe 1891).
24. SOUTH NAVE WALL
We next cross over the nave to investigate the South nave wall. There are five windows to study over here, each window portraying four saints.
25. SOUTH NAVE WINDOWS
From left we have: • SS Andrew, Peter, James, John the Evangelist (Kempe 1873); • SS Thomas, James the Less, Philip, Bartholomew (Kempe 1873); • SS Matthew, Simon, Matthias, Thaddaeus (Kempe 1873); • SS Mary the Virgin, Elizabeth, Anne, Mary Magdalene (Kempe 1873); • SS John the Baptist, Luke, Stephen, Paul (Kempe 1873).
26. SOUTHWEST NAVE
This brings us to the South Porch, beyond which is a little grouping of objects and windows in the Southwest corner of the nave. In particular we notice a model bell tower, an icon cross on the left wall, and a small ‘candle tree’, holding small prayer candles. People offering a prayer often find it helpful to light a candle.
27. BELL TOWER, CROSS
On closer inspection the model bell tower turns out to be a clever fund raiser. The sign reads: “Our spire is tall / our funds are low / Please don’t be shy / just have a go / Throw us your change / whether pence or pound / Aim at the bell / and make it sound.” Close by is a small version of the San Damiano Cross – the large Romanesque rood cross before which St. Francis of Assisi was praying when he is said to have received the commission from the Lord to rebuild the Church.
28. SOUTHWEST NAVE WINDOWS
These windows, viewed from left to right, portray: • SS Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Titus (attributed to J. Hardman and Co. 1875); • the Infant Jesus and Christ in Majesty (H. M. Barnett 1888); • Blessing of Children and Baptism of Christ (J. Hardman & Co. 1874.
29. CHANDELIER
An elegant feature of this Cathedral is the use of these chandeliers throughout. They give good light, and are used to great effect.
30. EAST NAVE
We return to the front of the nave where our attention is drawn to the rood screen and cross. Further back at left we can see a stand of organ pipes. And in the foreground a modern pulpit supporting a famous painting, and a modern nave altar table. Looking more carefully we become aware of the uneven placing of the supporting arches and columns.
31. PULPIT
With the recent modernization of the nave, a modern and moveable pulpit has been introduced. When seen by me, it was supporting a painting of ‘The Hospitality of Abraham’. This icon, originally called Troitsa, was created by Russian painter Andrei Rublev in the 15th century. It depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre (Genesis 18:1–8), but the painting is full of symbolism and is interpreted as an icon of the Holy Trinity.
32. NAVE ALTAR
Like the pulpit, the nave altar is modern and moveable. Pulpit and nave are made of oak and burr oak, inlaid with ebony. The altar has a cross-shaped base, and an inlaid cross on the flat top surface. Most cathedrals these days have an old high altar, and a modern nave altar.
33. ROOD
The Cathedral has a 17th century rood screen and above it a rood (Cross) by Ninian Comper, completed in 1950. The rood figures were designed by Sir Ninian Comper in 1938 for Provost Hopkins, but were not completed until 1950. Notice the six-winged angel on either side.
34. ROOD DETAILS
Following medieval tradition, the rood shows Christ on the Cross accompanied by the Blessed Virgin Mary and St John the Evangelist. The symbols of the Four Evangelists complete each arm of the Cross. At the foot of the Cross is a pelican feeding her young, a symbol of Christ’s sacrifice. Mary and John stand on the heads of two dragons.
35. NORTH QUIRE AISLE
We turn to the North quire aisle. Near the pulpit is a paschal candle, symbolizing Christ as the Light of the world. Nearby is another Cross with the Risen Christ pictured at centre holding an open book with the symbols Alpha and Omega.
36. ORGAN PIPES
The present organ was constructed in three stages: • 1905 - Abbot and Smith (using a small amount of earlier pipework); • 1951 - John Compton (much new pipework except in Swell and Choir); • 1985 - Wood of Huddersfield (much new upperwork, some rearrangement). The current organist is Thomas Moore. Prior to this, Jonathan Bielby gave 40 years service making him the longest serving organist in any English Cathedral.
37. NORTH QUIRE AISLE EAST
Beyond the organ pipes the North quire aisle leads to two sets of North-South arches, defining the Northern transept. Below the smaller window at left is a door leading down to the crypt. This is not generally open to the public, but we shall explore this later.
38. NORTH QUIRE AISLE WINDOWS
The window at left shows SS Bede, Oswald, Cuthbert, Chade (Kempe 1898). The smaller window at right shows The Empty Tomb (James Powell & Sons of Whitefriars). Between these two windows is a wall plaque in memory of Norman Duminel John Straton D.D. – included here to show that there was indeed a Vicar of Wakefield!
40. NORTHEAST QUIRE WINDOWS
Beyond the North transept we come to a North-South aisle which runs along behind the sanctuary, and separates the St Mark Chapel. At the end of the North quire aisle there are two windows and a memorial plaque. The windows (from left) are: • The Choir Window (Kempe 1907) and • The Supper at Emmaus (Kempe 1905). The plaque remembers Joshua Ingham Brooke.