Our Church
Our eight-sided church
Since the early centuries churches have often been built with eight sides. This recalls the ‘eighth day’, the day of Resurrection. Every Sunday is an ‘eighth day’ for us.
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The altar
Our altar is hexagonal. The six sides recall that Jesus died on the sixth day (Good Friday). The altar is the place where Christ becomes really present at Mass, as we join in Christ’s sacrifice of himself and receive him in Holy Communion. The altar has the Greek letters chi and rho on the front, the first two letters of the Greek word for ‘Christ’.
The ambo
Our ambo, the lectern from which the Scriptures are read, is hexagonal like the altar, and has the Greek letters chi and rho on the front. We remember that ‘Christ comes to us in Word and Sacrament’. Whenever the Scriptures are proclaimed it is Christ who speaks to us.
The tabernacle
Our central tabernacle is the focus for private prayer. Its shape reflects that of the altar. The actual central tabernacle was in the church since it was opened, and has been relocated from its previous position at the side of the sanctuary.
Baptismal font and paschal candle
The font for the celebration of Baptism is eight-sided like the church, reminding us that through Baptism we share in the death and resurrection of Christ. The paschal candle stands by the font, but has a more prominent position by the ambo during the Easter season. It is always lit during the Easter season, and for Baptisms and Funerals.
The Aumbry
Near the baptismal font is the aumbry, which contains the holy oils. The Oil of Catechumens is used in the preparation for Baptism. The Oil of Chrism is used at Baptism and Confirmation. The Oil of the Sick can be used when a person is ill.
The Shrine of Our Lady
We have a bronze sculpture of Our Lady and the Child which is the work of Italian artist, Dario Caruso. It replaced the wooden statue of the Virgin alone, which was relocated to Saints Peter and Paul School in Ilford.
The Bronze of St Joseph
The bronze sculpture of St Joseph and the Child Jesus commemorates the Year of St Joseph. It is the work of Italian artist, Dario Caruso and was erected in 2021.
Our crucifix
Our wooden crucifix depicts Christ the High Priest on the cross, and reminds us that the dedication of our church is to Christ the Eternal High Priest. Christ wears priestly robes, which symbolise the fact that as our high priest he made the once and for all offering of himself on the cross.
The benches
All the wooden furniture in our church is the work of Irish Contract Seating, who have their workplace in Leitrim, Ireland. The benches reflect the octagonal shape of the church. They replace the benches which were in the church from the beginning, and have now been relocated to the Catholic parish of St Ursula Ledochowska in Rzeszow, Poland.
Stations of the Cross
Our fifteen Stations of the Cross are the work of Nico Venzo, Italian sculptor.
Etching of Christ the High Priest
The glass etching of Christ the Eternal High Priest in the alcove at the back of the church is the work of Sister Mary Stephen of the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.