If we move to the North side of the nave and look back we notice the doorway through to the foyer, and the window beyond. There is an interesting repeated use of the circle motif in this building. Let us take a closer look at this window. PLAN
22. FOYER WINDOW – NORTH SIDE
This attractive and colourful window is quite abstract but includes a number of floral elements. The text at the bottom reads: In Memoriam • David Rodger • Obit Oct 11th 1867 Etat 37. I have no further information about David Rodger, but we do have the approximate date of the window.
23. NAVE
Whenever I enter a new cathedral, I always look forward to this view. It has taken a little longer with St Andrew’s! This is a lovely sacred space. Things to notice: the colourful East windows in the distance (we shall look more closely at the sanctuary later), the Gothic arches marching towards the front, the dark but interesting nave roof, the colourful clerestory windows, the nave windows, ... . there is much of interest here.
24. NAVE ROOF
The nave roof is a simple timber gable with regularly spaced transversal supports. In turn, these supports are based on the capitals of small columns between the clerestory windows.
25. CLERESTORY WINDOWS
The windows of St Andrew’s Cathedral are mostly simple in design. The clerestory windows are all the same, with decorative coloured panes of glass at the apex. Each window has a central air vent, and the outer windows can be opened to help control the temperature. The clear glass allows light to enter the nave.
26. NAVE WINDOWS
With one exception, the nave windows are identical and of simple design with coloured panes at the top, and clear glass below. They are equipped with wooden shutters which control the entry of sunlight and allows good airflow. The South nave windows are shown, and the more intricate windows are at left.
27. SPECIAL NAVE WINDOWS
These windows bear two coats of arms: at left those of the Diocese of Singapore (4 November 1909), and at right the Province of South East Asia (2 February 1996). The left window shows a bishop’s mitre with staff and key (St Peter had the Keys of the Kingdom), with St Andrew’s Cross and four bales of wheat below. The right window shows Alpha and Omega – symbols for Christ, and grains of wheat and an oil lamp below – food and light.
28. PEWS
It is clear that at least some of the pews were donated as memorial gifts. The inscription on this pew reads: In loving memory of my beloved wife Tan Ley Chee departed 1.7.1978.
29. WEST WALL AND ORGAN
If we stand in the central aisle of the nave and look back, we can observe the balcony on the West wall with the organ above. The organ is a Rodgers Custom 4-manual organ with 8 ranks of pipes, and was installed in 2009. Special care has been taken with materials to ensure protection against Singapore’s high humidity.
30. FOYER WINDOW SOUTH
Before we leave the nave and foyer, we note there is a window on the South side of the foyer. This window is a symmetric pair to the window on the North side. It is probably given in memory of someone, but any acknowledging text was hidden from view.
31. CHANCEL AND SANCTUARY
We now come to the East end of the nave. From back left to front to back centre we shall look at the sedilia, the lectern, the central ambo, the pulpit, the cathedra, the altar and reredos, and the East window. But first, there is a chapel tucked away on the right hand side – The Epiphany Chapel.
32. EPIPHANY CHAPEL
The Epiphany Chapel is is used for weekday prayers. It incorporates the memorial erected in the original St. Andrew's Church on the same site in 1846. ‘Epiphany’ describes a moment of sudden and great realization or revelation. The word is used to describe the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Wise Men.
33. CHAPEL ALTAR
The simple altar bears two candles, a cross with red precious stones (rubies?) at the extremities, and a sloping book rest. The cross and book rest bear the initials IHS (standing for Jesus). At left in the wall is a gold aumbry.
34. AUMBRY
The aumbry is a small locked container which contains reserved Elements of the Eucharist. These are normally blessed on a Sunday and are then available for use during the week. This aumbry has a depiction of the Lamb with Banner on the door, representing the Victorious Christ.
35. THE CHAPEL WALL
Looking back along the South wall of the Chapel we find various plaques. At the rear, the Chapel opens out into the front of the nave.
36. SEDILIA
We now turn to the sanctuary area. Along the North side are six seats, used by clergy serving on a Sunday. In ecclesiastical architecture, these are called ‘sedilia’ (the plural of the Latin ‘sedile’, seat).
37. LECTERN AREA
On our left as we approach the sanctuary is the prominent eagle lectern. Above on the column is a Canterbury Cross. To the left is a covered keyboard, a welcome notice, and a memorial plaque.
38. LECTERN
The golden eagle lectern is a common sight in Anglican churches. The eagle stands on a globe representing the earth, and is usually supported by three lions at the base. It is from here that the Bible is read. The eagle is believed to be the bird which flies closest to heaven, and is the symbol of St John the Evangelist.
39. CANTERBURY CROSS
The Canterbury Cross was designed after a Saxon brooch, dating ca. 850 that was found in 1867 in Canterbury, England. It is sometimes used as a symbol to represent the Anglican Communion. Thus in 1932, a Canterbury Cross made up of pieces of stone from Canterbury was sent to each of the Anglican diocesan cathedrals of the world as a visible symbol of the communion with Canterbury.
40. WELCOME NOTICE
St Andrew’s Cathedral is an actively functioning congregation. This notice gives the location of the Welcome Centre and offers help to visitors with special needs.