PORCH

The Catacombs

Christians in Rome met in secret because of persecution. In the dark tunnels they felt safe. The fish, a symbol from the first letters in Greek of "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour" guided followers.

CHILDREN'S CORNER BEHIND DOOR

Do you remember singing:

Jesus came into the world as a baby. The shepherds and wise men were guided to his birthplace by a bright shining star.

WALL

The Last Supper

While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and after blessing it gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat, this is my body." Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks he have it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew Ch.26

OLD ORGAN

The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus saw the crowds and began to preach about enlightenment for all who followed Him especially those who are persecuted for His sake. The groups of flowers represent listeners. Matthew Ch.5

NEW ORGAN

'A Light to Lighten the Gentiles'

By these words Jesus is shown firstly as a light or example to follow, secondly He will lighten our burden of guilt and redeem us; also we shall be enlightened and know God's purpose. Luke Ch.2

WINDOW

Joseph was sold for 2 pieces of silver by his jealous brothers. They dipped his many coloured coat in goat's blood and told his father he was dead, but eventually he became a close friend of the Egyptian Pharaoh by warning him of the failure of harvests to come and building vast grain houses to store grain in years of plenty. Instead of seeking revenge he forgave his brothers when they unwittingly came to him for food, and saved them from starvation. Geneses Ch.42

WINDOW

Moses

It is recorded that every new born Hebrew boy was to be thrown into the Nile but one mother wove a basket of reeds, made it waterproof with tar and placed her baby in it among the bulrushes where he could be found by Pharaoh's daughter who took pity on him, named him Moses and employed his own mother to look after him. Moses later led the Hebrews from the darkness of slavery to freedom. Exodus Ch.1

WINDOW

Adam & Eve lived in the Garden of Eden where they had an abundance of food, but were told they should not eat fruit from one particular tree. Eve disobeyed and offered an apple to Adam. Consequently they were sent out from the Garden of Eden into the wilderness: a world beset with problems.

WINDOW

Judas' Betrayal of Jesus took place in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Judas was so ashamed for betraying an innocent man that he threw the coins down in the Temple and went away and hanged himself. Matthew Ch.26 

BEAM

Noah's Ark

God caused waters to cover the earth because of man's corruption. Noah's family and ark full of animals were the only beings saved. The dove, that Noah had sent out each day eventually returned carrying in its beak, a fresh olive sprig signifying land was near. A rainbow appeared, a sign that light and hope would prevail against darkness. The dove is symbolic to all Christians. It implies peace and forgiveness and is the traditional symbol for the Holy Spirit. Geneses Ch.8

STANDING

Peter's Denial

Peter protested that he would never forsake Jesus, but Jesus replied that before the cock crowed, Peter would say three times that he did not know Jesus. It was as Jesus predicted, but Peter, full of remorse, was forgiven and became the 'rock' on which Jesus would build His church. The keys represent the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven given to Peter by Jesus. When Peter was crucified he asked that the cross be inverted so that he might look Heavenward as he died. Matthew Ch.26

ALTAR RAIL

Crucifixion

Pilate condemned Jesus to death. He was crucified and a crown of thorns placed on his head, above which a notice said: 'This is Jesus, the King of the Jews'. When He died the whole country was covered in darkness and the earth shook. Matthew Ch.27

LEFT OF ALTAR

St. Michael the Archangel fought the devil for the souls of men. The emblem on the shield is his symbol. Revelations Ch.12

RIGHT SIDE OF ALTAR

Jesus

The Light of the World. 'May your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.'

ALTAR RAIL

Resurrection

'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.' Matthew Ch.28

STANDING

The Ministry

'Go then to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.' John Ch.1

WINDOW

Sodom & Gomorrah

These two cities were destroyed but Lot and his wife were allowed to escape. Lot's wife disobeyed God's instruction about looking back and was turned into a pillar of salt. Geneses Ch.19

WINDOW

Heaven

From the darkness of death into eternal light.

WINDOW

Hell

'Long is the way and hard, that out of hell leads up to light.' Paradise Lost, Milton

WINDOW

Blind Bartimaeus represents Jesus' miracles. Bartimaeus had faith that Jesus would heal him and so when Jesus called him he threw off his cloak and replying to Jesus' question, 'What to you want me to do for you?' said that he wanted to see again. Jesus said 'Go, your faith has made you whole.' From the darkness of blindness came sight and enlightenment. Mark Ch.10