Hart Church
Stained glass windows
The church has a number of stained glass windows. One window is a memorial window. It remembers people who died in the 1914-1918 War (The First World War). The colours helps you recognise the people.
When the sun shines through the windows you can see the colours properly.
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The Nave and Chancel
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Look at the photograph. Which way are you facing? Look at the Chancel arch. Above it, you can see the shape of another arch.Do you think that the larger arch came first or the smaller one? How can you tell? Why do you think size of the arch was changed? What can you see under the large stained glass window? |
The Altar
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This is the holiest part of the church. The altar is a table or rectangular slab made of stone or marble, it is set on a raised step or dais. It is used for key religious rituals, such as communion. The altar is covered in a cloth. What is its colour? What does the colour mean? What other colours could be seen during the church year? |
The Aisle
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The central aisle is the main pathway down the centre of the church. You walk down the aisle to get married. You could get christened as well at the font near the start of the aisle.
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The Font
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This is the remains of the earlier 12th century font. It has been carved out of sandstone. |
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This is the second font. It is a beautiful example of a 15th century font with an octagonal bowl. On four of the faces of the basin are the symbols of the four evangelists. Three of the other compartments have effigies of the apostles or saints with the instruments of their martyrdom. On the remaining compartment is the representation of the Saviour rising from the tomb and around him the bitter cup, the scourge and the spear. You will usually see a font when you first walk through the doors of a church. The vicar uses holy water to baptise the people. Fonts are often placed near the entrance to the church, this has a symbolic meaning: just as your body enters the church through the door so your soul enters the church through baptism. |
The Organ
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Organs began to appear in churches around 1000 years ago It was first used for ceremonial purposes. By the 1400s its use was well established and it continues to be used today to accompny hymns Music is played on the organ when people get married and during a normal service. A new organ is being tried.
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Pews
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Pews are seats where you sit and listen to the vicar. You can kneel in front of the pews when you pray to God. The pews are simple and functional. They are made of wood and have soft palettes on them. They face the front to show the importance of the altar. |
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The kneelers are something that you kneel on when you pray to God. There are lots of kneelers in many different patterns.
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The Pulpit
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The pulpit is at the front of the church on the right-hand side of the nave, as you look at the chancel. The vicar will deliver his sermon from the pulpit. It is used so everybody can see the vicar when he is talking. |
The Lectern
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The lectern is a reading stand. The bible is placed here. The vicar may read from it as well. It is made from wood and it is carved like an eagle standing on a sphere. It represents the Bible being carried, on the back of an eagle around the world. It is used by lay people to read the scripture lessons. |