Let’s continue our tour of St. Andrew’s
Last week we talked about the front entrance, the narthex, and nave. This week we are continuing our tour in the chancel, sanctuary, and sacristy.
The Chancel is usually an elevated area where the choir and clergy sit. I say usually because in more modern churches and other denominations this area could be on the same level as the nave and the choir may be in another part of the church. St. Andrew’s is styled after an old English church which is why we have the three steps. Another difference between modern churches and ours is the rood screen, sometimes called a chancel screen, many churches have done away with this practice over the last fifty years. A rood screen can be made of wood, stone, or iron and creates a divider between the nave and chancel. It can be of many different styles but it must have a rood, which is a cross or a crucifix.
As with older churches, the chancel at St. Andrews has pews for the choir, a Deacon’s seat and and a seat for the priest. On the right wall is the console for the mollar pipe organ, which was given in memory of John Phillips. Also on the right is the pulpit, this was not part of the original plans, it was installed later as a memorial. If you look up, you will see the sanctuary lamp, a constantly burning candle (ours is battery powered for safety reasons) which symbolizes the reserved sacrament. We are now at the altar rail.
As we pass through the altar rail gate we are now in the Sanctuary. In many churches the whole church is called the Sanctuary and if you thinking about a safe place, a refuge you would be right. In the Episcopal church only the area where the altar is considered the Sanctuary. For Episcopalians it is a very holy place, where the Eucharist takes place and the reserved sacraments are kept. On the left you will see the paschal candle, it is placed in the middle of the chancel from the Great Vigil of Easter until Ascension Day. You will also see it there whenever there is a baptism. It symbolizes our Lord’s resurrection. Our church banner is displayed here, next to one of our bishop’s chairs, most Episcopal churches are blessed to have just one bishop’s chair, and we have two. Again we go up three steps, which is a tradition in Episcopal churches, the second step is called the deacon’s step. This is where the deacon would stand after setting the altar. As we go behind the Altar, you will see the tabernacle, this is a closed compartment that is used to house the reserved sacrament. Any bread or wine that has been consecrated (blessed by a priest) and not used for communion will be stored here and used as soon as possible.
As we go down the other side of the altar steps you will see the credence. Ours is a shelf but it could be a table, this is where the cruets, vessels for the wine and water, the breadbox, lavabo bowl, lavabo towel, and sometimes extra chalices are placed in readiness for the Holy Communion. Above the credence is our original sanctuary lamp. Let’s go out the choir door to the sacristy.
The sacristy is the room in which the sacred vessels, linens and vestments are kept. Ours didn’t always look the way is does today. The new cabinets has allowed extra room for the altar guild and flower guild. A home for our sound system, and more room for vestments and we may be the only church in the area with a wine rack. The cabinets were a gift from Jan Rose in memory of Bob Rose.
Next week, what are priests and other folks wearing these days.