41. PLAQUES AND AUMBRY

The aumbry is a wall niche in which are stored the blessed Elements of the Eucharist. This Bread and Wine is blessed on a Sunday, and then available for weekday ministry. This aumbry is covered with a lockable copper plate with embossed loaves and some rather out-of-place fishes. The lighted lamp above indicates the presence of the Elements within the aumbry.   INDEX

42. AUMBRY PLAQUES

The two adjacent brass plates indicate the people remembered by the gifts of the aumbry and the aumbry lamp. They were Hugh Lionel Datsun Synodsman and Sideman (died 1979), and Amelia Lorina Allen (died 1975).

43. MADONNA WINDOW AND ORGAN

In the Southeast corner of the chancel is a stained glass window, and next to it the Church pipe organ. The window portrays the Madonna and Child, and was given in memory of Annie Cowell, ‘devoted wife and mother’, born on 17 Nov 1874 Ashurst, Kent, and died 30 Jun 1928 Largs Bay. ••• The organ built by J.E. Dodd was dedicated in October 1901. The Cornopean (set of stops) was prepared for in the original specification but was not to be added until 1908. A hydraulic engine, since replaced, provided the wind and may still be seen. Apart from slight differences in stop names the organ is in substantially original condition.

44. PROCESSIONAL CROSS AND ORGAN

A large processional cross stands by the sanctuary rail.  This is used to lead a procession of choir and clergy into a Sunday service. ••• The organ has two manuals. Organ maker Josiah Eustace Dodd was born in Victoria, but made Adelaide his base of operation and built some substantial instruments for a number of South Australian churches. His organs have been known to be not only of exquisite workmanship but also light to the touch and easy to play.

45. SANCTUARY APSE

The sanctuary is contained in an apse at the Eastern end of the Church. It has an interesting ceiling and fine wooden panelling, two stained glass windows, a number of brass plaques, and a high altar.

46. APSE CEILING

Church apses always provide an interesting challenge for the ceiling builders!

47. SANCTUARY PLAQUES

Two brass plates on the South side give reference to the sanctuary panelling and to the high altar. The panel at left for the wood panelling was given in memory of Louis S. Holmes FRCS, FRCP (died 1927) and his wife Lucy Mary (died 1935). The panel at right for the altar, was given in memory of the men of this parish who gave their lives in the Great War (1914 – 1918), and erected by their relatives. At the bottom is a verse: ‘As unknown and yet well known, as dying and behold we live.’

48. SANCTUARY CHAIR

To the left of the high altar stands a sanctuary chair and prayer desk. The back of the chair is decorated with the most fearsome dragon! There are dragons associated with St George, Archangel St Michael, and Satan (Revelation 20:2), but it is unclear why one would choose to have a dragon in the Holy of holies – even a very fine dragon!

49. SANCTUARY WINDOWS

The North sanctuary window portrays St Oswald. The window was created by Clarksons, in memory of John Ainsworth Horrocks, born 29 Jun 1887 South Australia, died 11 Aug 1918 France. Oswald was King of Northumbria from 634 until his death, and is venerated as a saint, of whom there was a particular cult in the Middle Ages. ••• The window at right remembers Rev Canon William Alexander Swan, Rector at St Bede’s 1901–1918; it was created by Clarksons. Saint Augustine was bishop of Hippo from 396 to 430, and one of the Latin Fathers of the Church.

50. PLATTEN, SOUTH SANCTUARY

On the South side of the sanctuary there is a wooden lined niche is the wall with a gold platten. The platten has the words ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’ around the rim, and the logo ‘IHS’ at the centre.

51. SANCTUARY PLAQUES

There are two nearby brass plates. One reminds us that the sanctuary lamp was given in memory of Major Beresford G.F.C. Campbell of the 12th Bengal Cavalry who died in 1929. The other tells us that (the rest of?) the sanctuary panelling wa given in memory of Thomas Hewitson LLD (died 1936) and Amy his wife (died 1939).    

52. MEMORIAL CHAIR

A nearby chair was also given in memory of Thomas Hewitson and his wife Amy. They were parents of Frank Beaumont Hewitson who was Rector of St Bede’s, 1936 –1952.

53. HIGH ALTAR

The high altar is a fairly standard piece of furniture with three open curtained panels across the front. A frieze just above these panels has small carved squares displaying crosses or flowers (Yorkshire roses?). There are four golden candlesticks standing on the altar itself, and a gold cross at centre on the reredos behind. The reredos has a carved feature on either side: at left a sheaf of grain, and at right a bunch of grapes – symbols for the Eucharist. The sanctuary lamp hangs above. On the wall panelling on either side of the altar is a carved feature: at left a capital Alpha (A) and at right a capital Omega (Ω). These come from the words of Christ in the Book of Revelation: Rev 1:11 ‘I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last.’