Sanctuary


The Narthex The Priest's Plaque The War Plaque Body of the Church Ceiling Windows Stations of the Cross Benches Font Our Lady Statue St Joseph & St Patrick Statue of St Anne The Lady Chapel Stained Glass Windows Painting Sacred Heart Statue The Baptistry Font Sanctuary The Crucifix The Altar The Nun's Rooms The Choir Gallery St. Joseph's Bell


Last Updated 30 September 2006

The Sanctuary

The sanctuary is probably the most visible part of the church to parishioners and it is therefore perhasp not surprising that it is the area which has endured the most changes over the years.

The present sanctuary consisting of the area between and behind the two Corinthinan columns, was the original presbytery until around 1880 when the church was expanded.

There have been a number of differently shaped and sized altars, various layouts for the seating, and numerous different styles of decoration and painting.

This picture of the sanctuary dating from the 1920s, shows just how elaborate some of the decoration used to be.

The altar peice itself is highly decorated. A painting above the sanctuary hangs where the crucifix stands in today's church. Two further paintings hand to either side of the main one, and although not visible on this photograph. there are two more paintings on either side of the sanctuary.

It is also interesting to note the altar rails spanning the front of the sanctuary, removed in 1990 as part of the efforts to bring the church building up to the modern age.