Chancel

Photo of chancel area prior to Ash Wednesday service.

Stone stairs ascend from the nave to the chancel. The pulpit and lectern are carved of limestone, with figures representing the Old and New Testaments. Over the pulpit is a dark oak canopy carved with figures of angels and Christ the King. The Great Chancel Window (the central window in the altar area) portrays New and Old Testament figures and, at the top, the face of God.

Below the window, the altar area is surrounded by oak handcarved with figures and symbols of the Christian faith. In addition to the five-foot-high silver cross on the altar (added in 1980), the reredos (the structure forming the back of the altar) has two carved wooden crosses, a small one carved on a shield and a much larger one above it (added in 1935). A limewood tryptich (three-part sculpted wood scene) above the altar portrays three moments from the life of Christ: Christ teaching in the temple, Christ before Pilate, and Christ being ministered to by the women in the tomb. In the towers of the reredos are four limewood figures of saints: St. Francis of Assisi, St. Gregory the Great, St. George, and St. Augustine.

The choir sits on either side of the chancel area, which is surrounded by large chambers housing the Æolian organ. Visible in the chancel are some of the organ’s pipes and its elaborately carved oak casework. The organ console is located in the choir stall, behind the lectern.

You can learn more these parts of the Chapel by clicking on the corresponding image: