Inside St Anne's Church
This is
a view of the inside of our church looking towards the main altar and
the stained
glass east window behind it.
Unusually, the pulpit is on the right hand side of the nave.
The pews are made from specially imported Canadian pine.
The two poles clipped to the ends of the pews in the foreground are called 'wands' and are carried by the Churchwardens on ceremonial occasions.
![]() |
The main
altar is in the traditional location at the east end of the church in
an area known as the sanctuary.
The horizontal rail is where
parishioner come and kneel during communion services to receive the
consecrated bread and wine.
The cloth frontal to the altar is changed during the year to reflect the ecclesiastical season. For example during lent it is a simple hessian cloth decorated with a cross.
You will observe that there is a sort of 'gate' in the rail
with a section hinged back (to the left). Except when it needs to be
folded down to use as a communion rail this is kept open - to signify
an open and welcoming church.
Behind
the altar is an elaborate carved structure, technically called a
reredos. For a long while it was assumed that the gilt figures
represented the four gospel writers, but when it was looked more
closely it was realised that they were the British patron saints (St
George of England, St David of Wales, St Andrew of Scotland, and St
Patrick of Ireland). Since the reredos was presented to the
church by some of Queen Victoria's children in memory of their brother
King Edward VII the patriotic nature of its embellishment is perhaps
less surprising.
The picture on the left shows a detail from the carving along the top of the reredos.
Many of this site's pages have been prompted by, or include questions or information from, my readers. If you can add anything to the above please write using the message pad below.
This page is part of the Bagshot village web site.
Data provided only for personal background information. While every effort has been made to provide correct information no assurance as to its accuracy is given or implied. Check any facts you wish to rely upon.