On the right are the flags of the NZ Merchant Navy (red) and the Royal Navy. On the left are the flags of the USA (48 stars), and the Division colour carried by the Second Division of the US Marine Corps. They are an expression of thanks and are in recognition of the important friendships that Americans and New Zealanders formed as they endured the horrors and trials of WWII PLAN
22. NAVE LOOKING WEST
This is another view of the nave. It is interesting because it shows the roof line above the South aisle: a straight gable – in contrast to the roof treatment of the North aisle.
23. NAVE SOUTH WALL
The South wall of the nave features just one set of stained glass windows. There are also many brass plaques throughout OSPs; we shall look more closely at these later. The pews are made of rimu and kauri. The pews were rented out, and some families kept the same pew for generations.
24. SOUTH NAVE WINDOWS
The plaque is in memory of George Shirtcliffe who lived 1862 – 1941. The windows are in memory of Jane Barbara Shirtcliffe who died 18 July 1990. This is The Resurrection Morning Window, depicting the angel appearing to the women and disciples after the resurrection of Jesus.
25. WEST WINDOW
We next come to the large West window. This is a particularly appropriate window, as it shows the conversion of St Paul on the Damascas Road (left), and Paul and Barnabas healing a crippled man at Lystra (right).
26. IN THE NAVE
Near the North West corner of the nave is a column with a secret panel. When found, the compartment contained a list of the carpenters who worked on the original construction of OSPs. On another column, the Barraud family are remembered as significant contributers to the building of OSPs.
28. FLAG AND WINDOW
On the East wall of the North transept hangs a flag/banner with St George’s cross. A little further along, the window shows Peter, after his betrayal, kneeling before Jesus. Below the flag we see the corner of ...
30. PULPIT
The Seddon Memorial Pulpit is a hexagonal pulpit, given in memory of the last Premier of NZ, Richard John Seddon. It was under his premiership that NZ became the first country to give women the right to vote. The pulpit was carved from oak, and depicts four saints – including St Peter.
31. ORGAN
The organ was made in NZ by the South Island Organ Company. Purchased in 1977, the timber front is made of heart rimu, and there are 1316 pipes. The original organ was hydraulically powered, and on occasion caused flooding of nearby cottages! Wenda Small was the official organist here 1977–1992.
32. LECTERN
Across the nave from the pulpit is the brass lectern, made in London, and gifted to OSPs in 1881 in memory of William Barnard Rhodes. The Bible rests on the wings of the eagle, which is said to fly closest to the heavens. The Word is then brought down to earth, symbolized by the globe.
34. SOUTH TRANSEPT WINDOW
The lovely South transept window shows three scenes from the parable of the Good Samaritan, as told by Jesus. Above the window, a mysterious carved head looks down on OSPs. Some claim it is the image of William Hort Levin whose parents donated the window below. Others think it is the image of one of the builders!
35. SOUTH TRANSEPT WINDOWS
There are two other windows in the South transept. The window at left shows Jesus with Mary and Martha. The windows at right show Joshua and ‘Centurio’ – apparently, a centurion. It is suggested that these windows were intended as a memorial to a soldier.
36. STALLS
As we move into the Chancel, we find a stall on each side. At left is the Precentor’s Stall, at right the Dean’s Stall. The Dean’s Stall has been in OSPs since 1866 and is made from panels once in Wells Cathedral in England. The Precentor’s Stall is a copy of the Dean’s Stall, carved by a parishioner in 1936.
38. NORTH MINOR TRANSEPT
OSPs is unusual in that there is an area on either side of the chancel denoted as a ‘minor transept’. The North minor transept is now being used as a display area.
39. DISPLAY
The main feature in the display area is a large poster board with information about he building and history of OSPs.
40. DISPLAY DETAIL
Examples of the information on the display board include details about the Lectern Bible, which is also on display. This was a Bible given in memory of parishioner Margaret Stokes, and has quite a history of its own!