21. SOUTH CLERESTORY WINDOWS (WEST)
The two Western-most clerestory windows on the South wall. At left we have the anointing of Jesu’s feet (Luke 7:38), Mary at the Tomb on Easter morning, and Women at the Crucifixion. The outer windows were commissioned from Adelaide artist Cedar Prest in 1990; the middle window was re-sited from Pirie Street Church, and is in memory of Miss Elton Colton. The windows at right were re-sited from Pirie Street Church and show Jesus and Mary of Bethany (left) and, two windows in praise of a worthy woman. Both windows are in memory of Mrs Howard, 1920. INDEX
22. SOUTH CLERESTORY WINDOWS (EAST)
The two Eastern-most clerestory windows on the South wall . The three windows at left are above the East porch, and show the story of the Good Samaritan. The window is dedicated to ‘the Glory of God and in loving memory of our parents Roger Paul Goode 1885 – 1965 and Elsie Jane Goode 1885 – 1964. “Love never faileth”.’ The windows at right show Christian at the Wicker Gate (fifth of the Pilgrim’s Progress series), the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) (re-sited from the Pirie St Church) and Help Lifts Christian (sixth of the Pilgrim’s Progress series).
23. COLUMN CAPITALS
The decorated tops of columns are called ‘capitals’, and there are some fine decorated capitals in this Church. Notice the little bird in the column decoration at right.
24. WAR MEMORIAL PORCH HONOUR ROLL
Near the centre of the South wall we come to the base of the tower. This entry into the Church is called the War Memorial Porch as it houses various memorials from the combining churches. An impressive Roll of Honour board is mounted on the West wall of this Porch. The image at the centre of the board has a sword super-imposed on a cross. It is likely that the derivations of the two shapes are quite distinct, but it would be surprising if the Crusaders, for example, had not noted the similarity.
25. WAR MEMORIAL PORCH
The East wall of the War Memorial Porch bears several Honour Rolls and a broken wooden propellor, similar to one in Holy Trinity Church. This was a gift from the RAAF to commemorate the chaplaincy during the Second World War of the ministers of Pirie Street Methodist Church and Holy Trinity. The Gothic lamp in the Porch is also worthy of notice.
26. CROSSING – SOUTHWEST COLUMN
Pilgrim Church contains many reminders of its long and interesting history. Some of these are found on the South West column of the crossing. At left is a plaque in remembrance of Rev Henry Howard who was minister of this Church for some 19 years. The two plaques on the right commemorate the lives of Sir Charles Todd and his wife Alice Gillam. I find it interesting that Sir Charles is remembered for his many civic contributions to society, and his wife for her 40 years association with this Church. What is it that makes a life significant? (In fact Alice Springs was named after her: the only significant town in Australia named after a woman!)
27. SPECIAL STONE
Also on the South West column of the crossing we find this historic stone, coming from Wesley’s Chapel, City Road London. Many churches in Australia contain pieces of stone from historic British churches, showing their links and identification with the past. Above the stone is a smaller round plaque carrying John Wesley’s famous words spoken at his conversion: “I felt my heart strangely warmed ...”. The plaque originated at the World Methodist Council, Aldersgate, 1738.
28. SOUTH TRANSEPT
We now stand in the crossing and look towards the South transept, known as the Chapel. The windows capture our attention: a large rose window of pentagonal design, and below a pair of smaller stained glass panes. We also notice some interesting panelling, a pair of special chairs, a communion table and lectern, and surprisingly (to me), a hanging sanctuary lamp.
29. OLD PULPIT
You never know what you are going to find next! Against the West wall of the South transept stands the old Pirie Street Pulpit and Communion Table. The walls of this Chapel have been faced with cedar paneling from the Pirie Street gallery,
30. SOUTH TRANSEPT ROSE WINDOW
The rose window in the Southern wall of the Chapel is lovely in its design. It has five-fold symmetry about the central pentafoil, and an ornate pentagonal shape surrounded by trefoils and quatrefoils. From 1908 until 1973 this window was obscured by the organ. The original uncoloured glass was initially replaced with amber glass. In December 2002 the new Millenium Window was completed.
31. CHAPEL LOWER WINDOWS
The lower windows of the Chapel form an attractive pair. The window at left shows the baby Jesus being presented to Simeon in the Temple. The words of Simeon appear above: ‘Lord now lettest thou Thy servant depart in peace’ (Luke 2:29). The window at right shows mothers bringing their children to Jesus for his blessing (Matt 19:13–15). These windows were re-sited from Pirie Street Church.
32. COMMUNION TABLE
The focal point of the Chapel is this small communion table which was the original table used in Stow Church. From here the elements of the Lord’s Supper, the Bread and the Wine, can be served to small groups meeting in the Chapel. As expected, the Cross has central place. Behind the table stands the Pirie Street pulpit chair.
33. CHAIR AND LAMP
The sanctuary lamp for the tabernacle is mentioned in Exodus 27:20 : ‘And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation ... ’ . And if this were a cathedral, the large chair would likely be the Bishop’s Throne. Unfortunately, however, there is a shortage of bishops in the Uniting Church!
34. SANCTUARY
Leaving the Chapel, we turn our attention to the sanctuary, the focal point of the Church proper. The cross is central, beneath the beautiful rose window. The pulpit stands in a prominent place, emphasizing the importance of the reading of Scripture and proclamation of the Word. A memorial is mounted on each side, again reflecting the historical traditions preserved here.
35. CROSS AND MEMORIALS
Leaving the Chapel, we turn our attention to the sanctuary, the focal point of the Church proper. The cross is central, beneath the beautiful rose window. The pulpit stands in a prominent place, emphasizing the importance of the reading of Scripture and proclamation of the Word. A memorial is mounted on each side, again reflecting the historical traditions preserved here.
36. EAST ROSE WINDOW
The beautiful East rose window ... This window features ten cherubs and a small central cross. It was erected in memory of James Arthur Colmer Newbould who died in 1926. This window is artificially lit from behind. I was told of one memorable service when some mischievous boys gave the cherubs moving shadow hands!
37. PULPIT AND BANNER
Turning to the Northern side of the sanctuary we now view the pulpit and a very smart banner with the Uniting Church logo and the inscription ‘Come Holy Spirit’. This pulpit and front platform date from 1908 when there was a major rearrangement of the Church in which the organ and choir were relocated in the South transept.
39. BAPTISMAL FONT
The baptismal font is a relatively simple structure, with a lightly decorated wooden octagonal pyramid standing on a stone pedestal. The very pale inscription reads: ‘In Memoriam : Louis Bailey : 1862 – 1951 : Lucy Bailey : 1859 – 1935..
40. NORTH TRANSEPT MEMORIALS
These two memorial plaques are in the North East corner of the North transept. The one on the left is in memory of Rev Daniel James Draper who was Superintendent of the Pirie Street Circuit and Chairman of the South Australian District. He died in 1866 when the boat he was on foundered in the Bay of Biscay. The right plaque remembers Walter Edwin Dalton who was a member and faithful helper in this Church for many years. He died in 1913.