Continued  from  Part 2,  Part 1

Behind the main altar is a beautifully sculpted reredos which continues the theme of symbolism. The first impression is of a delicately executed sculpture with leaves and grapes scrolling horizontally from a central vine. Look closer and the words “I AM THE” begin to appear from deep within the foliage.

 The sculpture itself is left to reveal the meaning which relates to a passage from the bible: John 15 verse 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing“. Designed by the first incumbent, the Rev. E. W. Gilbert, it is an articulate example of how sculpture has been used to convey a message, and provide a three dimensional parable on the meaning of faith.

Reredos with ‘I AM THE’ hidden within the vine motif

Royd’s Chapel roof geometry

During one cold Sunday morning, Andy managed to make a brief glimpse below the church in the voids beneath. A door leads from the crypt into a world of dusty, darkness. “What I found there was remarkable. A brick vault with a single Victorian chair lodged in the rubble; hunks of stone cut offs from the original carvings for the building; and in one particular corner – a wooden mould template for a column or window jamb situated next to a Victorian stopper bottle. It was as if I  had travelled back in time to 1873.”

Deep within the recesses of the church a chair stands in solitude

Masonic Lecturn detail

Over the last few years, the church’s congregation has dwindled which has lead to some tough decisions from the Anglican diocese. There is some hope that another use might be found (another Christian denomination is interested) and this is being actively sought by all concerned.

Royd’s Memorial Brass plate detail

Saint Edmund’s ‘in macro’ – pattern and decoration

After several days of photography at Saint Edmund, Andy came across the news articles proclaiming the state of the ‘benefit culture’ in Falinge. 

“I was immediately saddened by the parallel divide between the wonderful cultural riches of a church in distress, and the social and economic requirements of the community on its doorstep. If  only we could find a way of introducing the one to the other, and harnessing and awakening the tremendous energy and vitality of a church and a community in need.” [End]

Tower staircase

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