24 to 26: Sanctuary

What are they

The Sanctuary has elements that support the mass and encourage contemplation.  The altar area or sanctuary of St Mark’s includes a reredos, mural and spectacular windows of the Transfigurations

24: Reredos

A Reredos is a large altarpiece, a screen, or decoration placed behind the altar in a church.  At St Mark’s the reredos is made from blackwood.  It dates back to 1939 so it is a relatively late addition to the church. The reredos acts like a dramatic backdrop to help us visually focus on the altar, and to lend it architectural and artistic importance.  The reredos draws the worshipper’s eyes to what should be the centerpiece – in this case a mosaic of the last supper.

25: Mural

The mural in a reredos behind the altar demonstrates through art its significance, for on an altar in a church based in the catholic tradition, heaven and earth meet.  The mural mirrors the Sunday Mass, the sharing of bread.  It was done by the firm Brooks Robinson who also did the Transfiguration window

26: Transfiguration window

The Transfiguration window is a tryptic window done by the stained glass company Brooks Robinson.  At the top of the outer 2 windows we see the alpha and omega – the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, used to designate the comprehensiveness of God, implying that God includes all that can be.  Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last, the beginning and the end.