A Guide to St. Edward's Church
Begun in May 1939 and designed by the architect E. Bower Norris of Stafford, this red brick, neo-romanesque style church was needed to accommodate the growing numbers of Catholics in the parish. The previous church, built in 1893 as a ‘temporary’ church, is still in use today as the church hall. The church cost £11,000 to build and was officially opened and blessed in October 1940. It was consecrated September 1946.
Neo-romanesque architecture is a style of building particularly popular in the late nineteenth century and was inspired by the Romanesque style of architecture from the eleventh and twelfth centuries. Popular features of neo-romanesque architecture include round arches and semi-circular arches on the windows. These can be seen in the design of St. Edward’s. The stained glass windows were created by Pearce and Cutler of Birmingham and primarily use the traditional mediaeval colouring of royal blue, ruby red and gold. The clear glass is rippled or waved, helping to diffuse but not cut down the clear light, while obscuring the fact that the church is surrounded by other brick buildings.
Traditionally Christian churches are orientated with the altar at the eastern end of the church. Unusually, however, St. Edward's has the opposite orientation. The altar lies at the western end of the church and the main entrance is to the east.
The Entrance Door, Narthex and Baptistry
The main entrance door. In neo-romanesque tradition the door has rounded arches.
The Narthex is a vestibule/antechamber at the eastern entrance to the church.
Located on the far left hand side of the narthex these windows depict Jesus rising from the water following baptism, with the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove, and St. John the Baptist.
Until the major re-ordering of the church undertaken by Fr. Donald Jenkinson (parish priest 1966-1977) this was the site of the Baptistry. The font and gates were removed at this time. (The drawing of the Baptistry (far right) was made by Charles Dudley Brown in the 1940s). However a replacement stone baptismal font is now located at the site of the Baptistry. It was transported from St. Paul’s (Church of England, derelict) Semilong, Northampton and solemnly blessed June 1994. It is an example of Gothic architecture, being carved with quatrefoils, a shape that symbolizes the four evangelists. On the walls of the Baptistry are hung paintings (not pictured) of the patronal saints of the churches of the Parish of St. Edward’s by George Swift, a local parishioner; and a copy of the painting of the "Adoration of the Trinity" by Albert Durer 1511.
Located on the left hand side of the narthex, between the baptistry and the main door is a window depicting Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God. The lamb has Jesus’ cruciform halo and is bearing the English flag in victory. This is Jesus, the sacrifice, who has triumphed.
On the right hand side of the narthex, between the main door and the side door and partially obscured by the stairs to the upstairs gallery, this window displays a book against the background of a cross. The left hand page of the book carries the words “Pater Noster” (Our Father). The right hand page shows a (Greek) cross on communion bread against the background of a head of wheat.
Placed on the right hand side of the narthex, next to the side entrance, this window shows a red (Greek) cross against a background of a four pointed star, also symbolic of a cross.
Windows in the internal swing doors separating the narthex and the nave state “Ego Sum Ostium Ovium” MM AD (“I am the Door of the sheep” 2000 AD – John 10:7). They were created by Aldridge Stained Glass to celebrate the Holy Year declared for the start of the new millennium. The windows were blessed at Christmas Midnight Mass 1999.
To the right hand side of the internal swing doors is a window containing the Papal insignia. To the left hand side the window carries the insignia of the diocese of Northampton.
The Nave
The nave is the name for the main body of the church where the congregation takes part in the service, sitting in pews arranged next to aisles. It derives from the Latin “navis” for ship. The ship was an early symbol for the church. St. Edward’s has three aisles, north, central and south, the north and south aisles are separated from the central body of the church by arched pillars. On the upper level of the nave of a romanesque church, the walls rise above the roofline of the lower aisles and are pierced with windows, this is known as the clerestory. The windows in the clerestory at St. Edward’s are split into smaller panes or lights depicting different images and symbols. The central light in each window pictures Jesus or Our Lady and they are arranged so that they face each other across the nave.
Entering into the nave this picture shows the interior of the church.
South Aisle - Left Hand Side of the Church
A view down the south aisle on the left hand side of the church, looking towards the statue of the Sacred Heart. The confessionals are located at this side of the church.
There are 12 crosses around the walls of the church. These mark the sites where the walls were anointed during the consecration of the church to God. The Stations of the Cross (not pictured) were donated by the Drake-Lee family.
“Deus Meus et Omnia” (“My God and My All” – the motto of the Franciscan order).
This window, at the rear of the south aisle, bears the coat of arms of Bishop Laurence Youens, 6th Bishop of Northampton 1933-1939. It depicts a gridiron on which St. Lawrence, deacon and martyr, was put to death. The yew trees are a pun on the bishop’s surname. Bishop Youens authorised the building of St. Edward’s church and shortly before his death in November 1939 assigned money inherited by the diocese to pay the majority of the costs of the build.
A statue of St. Joseph cradling the baby Jesus.
A statue of St. Christopher carrying the child Jesus. This statue was donated to St. Edward’s church by the 384th Bomb Group (H) [US Air Force] based at Grafton-Underwood 1943-1945.
A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This window can be seen on the left hand side above the south aisle, at the rear of the nave. It contains three lights. The central light is of Madonna and Child on a background of rays of light. Mary has a golden cruciform halo and the Christ child a golden and white cruciform halo. The left hand light carries the letters IHS. This is a symbol for Jesus, a Latin interpretation of the Greek spelling of Jesus, (IHCOYC) which was abbreviated to IHC. The right hand light carries the Greek letters XP, known as the Chi Rho. It stands for Christ, from the Greek word for Christ XPICTOC. The X and P are interlinked to make a single whole as a reminder of the cross.
This window is located on the left hand side above the south aisle, at the centre of the nave. It contains three lights. The central light is of Jesus, arms open, displaying his sacred heart and with a golden and white cruciform halo. The left hand light pictures an empty cross encircled by a crown. (The arm of the cross is one third of the way down the vertical, this is known as the Latin cross.) The empty cross symbolizes resurrection, the crown symbolises Jesus’ kingship and of eternal life. The right hand light displays a single sword atop an X (a cross saltire, a symbol of martyrdom and humility). The sword is the sword of the spirit, standing both for martyrdom and for the power and authority of God.
This window can be seen on the left hand side above the south aisle at the front of the nave. It contains three lights. The central light is of Madonna and Child on a background of rays of light. Mary has a white cruciform halo with golden edging and the Christ child a golden cruciform halo. The left hand light depicts a white dove with a cruciform halo descending. This picture represents the Holy Spirit. The right hand light depicts an empty cross with a fish superimposed. (The cross is formed from arms of equal length and is known as a Greek cross) The fish is the symbol of Christ atop an empty cross, symbol of God’s power and hope.
The Organ Loft
From left to right. A view from the organ loft, incorporating the organ which was transferred from Holy Trinity Church, Desborough in 1978. The Sacred Heart Window is visible in the background. The organ loft as seen from the chancel showing the round window which depicts a crown of thorns superimposed over a (Greek) cross.
Located in the organ loft is a window containing four lights. Left to right.
Light 1: A cross with a background of rays, known as a radiant cross. Light 2: A Fleur-de-Lys (a symbol both of Our Lady and of the Holy Trinity). Light 3: A hammer and ladder intersecting in the form of a X. The hammer and ladder are both used as symbols of Our Lord’s Passion. The hammer used to nail Jesus to the cross and the ladder to help bring him down after the crucifixion. There are three nails in a semicircle around the base of the panel, three nails are used to symbolize the crucifixion, two nails through pinning Christ’s hands to the cross and one through his feet. Light 4: A baptismal cross, with a scallop shell in the centre. The scallop shell is the traditional symbol of baptism and for centuries has also been used to signify pilgrimage.
A window depicting the lyre of King David against the background of a (Greek) cross is located in the stairwell leading up to the organ loft.
The Chancel, Sanctuary, Altar, Apse and Tabernacle
The chancel is the area before the altar reserved for clergy and choir and separated from the nave by a step. Beyond this is the sanctuary, on a raised step from the chancel. Within the sanctuary is the altar. Behind the altar at the front of the church is the apse, a recess with a domed roof. Against the west wall is the tabernacle where Holy Communion is reserved.
The tabernacle is located against the west wall at the front of the church. Within it is reserved Holy Communion. It rests on a section of altar that was used before Vatican II, at a time when the priest celebrated Mass with his back to the congregation. On this are the words "altare privilegiatum" which means privileged altar. (A plenary indulgence could be granted for the soul of the person for whom the Mass was offered. Changes in church teachings have now rendered this invalid).
The West wall itself displays a cross and circle, known as a wheel-head cross (the circle is symbolic of a crown, a Halo, rays of Light or the circle of eternity). The crown of thorns is displayed under a triumphant crown with a background of rays of light. A vine twists around the cross, symbolic of life. Majesty and kingship are traditionally reflected by the use of gold in the cross. The cross is contained within a rounded arch, traditionally symbolising hands clasped in prayer or arms thrown up in worship of God. Above the cross, within the arch itself, are the symbols for God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God the Father is represented by a right hand (Manus Dei), extending downwards towards humankind with two fingers extended; this indicates God’s blessing and grace. God the Son is represented by the symbol X overwritten by P. It is a sacred monogram standing for Christ from the Greek word for Christ, XPICTOC. The symbol is known as Chi Rho, the names of the Greek letters that are used. The Chi Rho is used to emphasise Jesus’ position as the Son of God, the Messiah. God the Holy Spirit is represented by a dove with Cruciform halo, descending from Heaven to Earth.
In the apse, on the ceiling above the tabernacle, the dove represents the Holy Spirit and is surrounded by Wheat and the Vine, traditional symbols of the Holy Eucharist.
Located at the rear of the altar, on the left hand side of the apse, this window shows a basket of bread above a fish. The symbol of a fish has been used to represent Jesus for nearly 2000 years. The fish also later became a symbol for the Eucharist. Bread and fish together often refer to the feeding of the five thousand by Jesus in the New Testament.
At the rear of the altar, on the right hand side of the apse, this window shows a pelican feeding her young with her own blood. In mediaeval times it was thought that the pelican pecked its breast in order to feed its blood to its offspring. This selflessness is used as an analogy for Jesus’ sacrifice.
The window to the right hand side of the altar represents the Sacred Heart. There is an image of Jesus, holding open his red cloak (the colour red traditionally used to represent love), to display his heart. The heart is topped with a small cross and flames and ringed by a crown of thorns. The image helps us focus on Jesus’ inner spirit and to remember his love and courage. Above the figure of Jesus are three smaller lights. The left hand light again carries an image of the sacred heart, ringed by a crown of thorns, topped with a cross and flames, and showing rays of light coming from the cross. The right hand light pictures the Eucharist in the form of rays of light surrounding chalice and communion bread, against the background of a cross, symbols for the sacrifice of Christ’s body and blood. The central light shows a picture of a sunburst monstrance, a vessel used to display the consecrated Eucharistic host during benediction. The monstrance is usually an elaborate decorated vessel, made of gold or similar precious metal, with a stand and topped by a cross. At the heart of the monstrance is a round glass, the size of the host, through which the Blessed Sacrament can be seen. A blessing by the Eucharist is considered a blessing from Christ himself. This window was donated by the local families of Langley and Mould.
St. Edward the Confessor is the patron saint of our church. In this window a bird rests on the shoulder of St. Edward as a symbol for the soul. Various stained glass pieces were found in the ceiling space of St. Edward’s during rewiring early 2006. These included a stained glass picture of St. Edward. Judged by an expert to date to about 1895, it is believed that the stained glass came from the original church (now St. Edward’s church hall) built in 1893. This stained glass window is now located to the left of the sanctuary, and backlit with an electric light. It was blessed in its new site on the feast of St. Edward, October 13th, 2006.
Click the picture to view a larger image.
The Wilton Diptych. A copy of this famous painting is located to the right of the sanctuary. (A diptych is a painting on two hinged panels that close together like a book.) This painting depicts Richard II (1367-1400) presented to the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child by three saints. They are identified by their attributes: St John the Baptist holds the lamb, St Edward the Confessor a ring, and St Edmund, king and martyr, an arrow. Richard had a great personal devotion to St. Edward. The original is located in the National Gallery.
This painting hangs to the left of the chancel. It was painted by Peter Koenig (Canon Koenig’s brother) and donated to St. Edward’s church to celebrate the Year of the Eucharist that Pope John Paul II called for the New Millenium. Explanation
This cross bearing Christ crucified is located on the chancel.
The Lady Chapel
A view from the right hand side of the chancel looking towards the Lady Chapel.
Lady Chapel. The statue of Our Lady is represented as a Madonna carrying the Christ child. Traditional Marian prayers of Regina Coeli and the Angelus are located either side of the statue. The Motto on the altar cloth reads “ecce panis angelorum” (behold the bread of angels), holy communion was at one time reserved in the side chapel, rather than in the tabernacle on the altar itself.
Ornate metalwork divides the Lady Chapel and the sanctuary. One metal panel carries images of a dove, which symbolises the Holy Spirit, the other displays lilies, symbolising Our Lady.
The window in the Lady Chapel contains a central light with an image of Our Lady, dressed in blue. (Mary is almost always portrayed dressed in blue. In mediaeval times blue was a rare and expensive colour for an artist to use and therefore was only used on the most precious of objects.) In her left hand she holds white lilies, which are used to symbolise her purity and virginity. The left hand light is a Fleur-de-Lys, used to express the lily heraldically. The right hand light contains a sacred monogram. The letter M has been joined to the letter R, with the right hand arm of the M pierced by the loop of the R. This is known as the Monogram of the Blessed Virgin. Combined as it is with a crown above it it stands for Mary Queen of Heaven. This window was donated by the parish "Children of Mary" group.
During the months of May and October this statue of Our Lady holding Jesus (which came from the former Roman Catholic church of St. Luke's, Kettering) resides on the chancel.
A view down the north aisle on the right hand side of the church looking towards the Lady Chapel. The console for the organ is located in front of the chapel. A copy of the “Light of the World” by Holmann Hunt is on the wall between the sanctuary and the chapel.
North Aisle - Right Hand Side of the Church
This window is placed on the right hand side, above the north aisle, at the front of the nave. It contains three lights which symbolise the cardinal virtues of faith, hope and charity . The central light (charity) is of Jesus, with a gold cruciform halo, his arms are open and he is displaying his sacred heart. The left hand light (faith) pictures a small sailing boat on stormy waters. A ship symbolizes the Church. Although the church can pass through stormy times we should remember that Jesus calmed the waters at the Sea of Galilee and this should help bolster our faith during times of trouble. The right hand light (hope) displays a fish, wrapped around an anchor with a background of light rays. The fish represents Jesus and the anchor is a traditional symbol of the hope of salvation and of eternal life.
This window is located on the right hand side, above the north aisle, at the centre of the nave. It contains three lights. The central light is of Madonna and Child, both have golden and white cruciform halos. The left hand light pictures three nails piercing a crown of thorns, this symbolizes the crucifixion. The right hand light pictures a hammer and pincers on top of rays of light in the form of a (Greek) cross. The hammer is a symbol of the Passion of Our Lord. Pincers are traditionally used to indicate martyrdom. Nails have been driven into the position on the cross where Jesus’ hands and feet would have been located.
This window can be seen on the right hand side, above the north aisle, at the rear of the nave. It contains three lights. The central light is of Jesus, arms open, displaying his sacred heart and with a golden and white cruciform halo. The left hand light pictures the lamb and flag, that is, Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God. The lamb has Jesus’ cruciform halo, its leg wraps around the base of a white flag with a red cross (English flag) and is bearing it in victory. This is a representation of Jesus, the sacrifice, who has triumphed. The right hand light pictures an open book against a background of cross and rays of light. The left hand page bears the inscription “Pater Noster”, the right hand page bears a picture of a (Greek) cross on Communion bread on top of a head of wheat.
At the beginning of the Second World War three London schools were evacuated to Kettering and remained there for the duration of the war. These windows in the north aisle (right hand side) were donated by staff from each school.
The window at the front of the north aisle carries the badge of St. Aloysius Convent Grammar School, Euston. Its motto reads “quodcumque faciendum facias fortiter” (Whatever your duty, put your heart into it)
The window central to the north aisle carries the badge of Bartrams Convent School, Hampstead. Its motto reads “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful).
The window to the rear of the north aisle carries the badge of St. Dominic’s Infant School, Kentish Town. Its motto reads “Veritas” (Truth).
The Choir Gallery
The gallery is located above the narthex at the east end of the church. This is a view of the gallery from the chancel looking eastwards towards the entrance to the church. On the left hand side of the gallery is a window which depicts crossed keys, one silver and one gold, a traditional symbol of St. Peter. On right hand side of the gallery the window depicts a crown of thorns against the background of a cross.
Above the gallery in the east wall of the church is a triple window which shows the Saints Peter, Edward the Confessor and Paul. St. Peter holds two keys and in an unusual portrayal is shown reading a book. St. Edward is depicted as king, holding a sceptre and a ring. St. Paul carries the sword of the spirit (a traditional symbol for him) and a book which represents his epistles. The window contains a dedication which reads “The Right Rev. Mgr. J. Canon Tonks Golden Jubilee Aug 24th 1939”. Canon Tonks was parish priest at St. Edward’s from 1896-1924. He was greatly responsible for the acceptance of Catholics in the Kettering community at a time of great prejudice against them.
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