History and Tour

Some key features of St Martin's church
Click on any of the pictures to enlarge them

The holy water stoup is a bowl or recess, set in the wall, found at each entrance of the church. It is filled with holy water, enabling those entering the church to make the sign of the cross upon themselves with the water. This simple gesture affirms our Christian identity given us at Baptism. All medieval churches had holy water stoups, but they were often destroyed or filled in at the Reformation

The Fourteen Stations of the Cross (I - XIV), on the North and South walls of the Nave depict the final stages of Christ's journey to his death at Calvary. They were designed by the late Frank Roper, using an innovative casting technique.

The Calvary is the symbol of Christ crucified and was originally a memorial to the fallen from the Parish during the Great War, 1914-18.  It is one of the few features of the church that survived the bombing during World War 2 that destroyed much of the building  you may be able to see the scorch marks! After being stored away for many years, was re-sited in its present position during the 1970s. Today, it provides a place where prayer is offered where candles may be lit as signs of our intercession for others.

The Tabernacle is a fixed and secure safe where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved. The Blessed Sacrament is the bread that has become the Body of Christ during Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. It is reserved here for the purposes of taking Holy Communion to the sick and housebound, for the Liturgy of Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction. A Lamp burns continually before the Tabernacle reminding everyone of the real presence of the Risen Christ in this great Sacrament.

The stained glass window in the Chapel of the Holy Cross is dedicated to Father Harry North, the second Priest-in-Charge at St Martin's (1889 - 1897).

The stained glass East Window is the work of Hugh Easton and is dedicated to the memory of Hugh St John Dawnay, who was killed in 1943 while serving in Tunisia, by his family. Principally, it is a splendid depiction of the risen ascended Christ. It is unusual because the figure of Christ is white, blonde and unbearded! There are also 7 armorial crests, which are considered in more detail on another page.

The Reredos was traditionally a carved or painted screen behind the altar, but very few medieval ones survived the Reformation. St Martin's reredos at the High altar is to a design by Welsh artist Frank Roper, containing texts from the gospel according to St John. The same artist also designed the reredos in the Chapel of the Holy Cross.

The Lectern is the traditional place from where the Holy Scriptures are read and Intercession (prayers) is led during the Liturgy. Although St. Martin's Lectern is a simple wooden one, it is common to find ornate stone or brass lecterns in the form of an eagle, representing the Evangelist, St John.

The Pulpit (Latin pulpitum ‘platform’)  the place from which the sermon or homily is given during Mass. 

Since mediaeval times, many churches (especially cathedrals) incorporated a Lady Chapel, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, who is commonly referred to as Our Lady. The figure of Our Lady above the altar was originally acquired from St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church during the 1970’s when the re-ordering of  building meant it was no longer needed.

This carving is the only known wooden figure created by the artist Frank Roper and depicts our patron, St Martin (around AD 397). While serving in the Roman army St Martin gave half his cloak to a beggar and received a vision of Christ, after which he was baptised. He joined St Hilary at Poitiers, founded the first monastery in France and became Bishop of Tours.  Army officer, holy man, priest, pastor and healer, having a profound influence on western monasticism, the life of Martin of Tours still generates important lessons for Christian churches today.

The Paschal Candle is the first candle lit at the Easter Vigil and symbolises the light and life of the Risen Christ. When lit it is placed in a prominent position throughout the 50 days of Easter. During the remainder of the year it occupies a place near the Font, where it is lit for the celebration of baptism. It is placed near the coffin during a funeral to reminds us of the eternal life we share with Christ though baptism, over which even death has no authority or power.

The Font is a large bowl into which water is poured for the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The present Font is from the former Church and was recently relocated at the centre of the West end of the Nave.  The congregation at Baptism, which takes place during the Sunday Mass, can now participate more fully in the Rite. 

The Aumbry is a secure place where holy oils are stored. The Bishop blesses the Oil of Chrism, of the Sick and of the Catechumens during the Chrism Mass, which takes place during Holy Week. These Oils are used before baptism, (Catechumens) at the celebration of Baptism when the newly baptised are anointed. (Chrism)  Holy Chrism is also used to anoint newly ordained priests, icons and the walls of church buildings (when they are consecrated). During the celebration of the Sacrament of the Sick, those seeking God's healing and peace are anointed with the Oil of the Sick, following the laying-on of hands. A person or thing anointed with these Oils is imbued with the grace and life of Christ, either restoring, renewing and healing them, or distinguishing them as holy.

The Icon of Mary the Mother of God of Walsingham was placed here on the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, 8 September 2000. The family and friends of local schoolteacher, parishioner and pilgrim Nigel Trigg, who died aged 40 years, commissioned this Icon in thanksgiving for his life. For many years people from this parish have made an annual Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in Norfolk.

The word icon, which comes from the Greek eikon meaning 'image', has come to refer specifically to a sacred image. Icons are traditionally associated with the Greek and Russian Orthodox Church Communities, where their presence is very ancient, although recent years has seen icons embraced within many Church Communities in the West.

According to Orthodox teaching, icons are not art in the general sense but a method of prayer. They are windows into another realm and can depict Our Lord, His holy Mother, the Saints and Angels. An Icon symbolises the heavenly person it depicts and shares his or life. It is a sacramental, outward and visible sign of a living reality. When we stand before an Icon, we stand in the presence of the Holy Person it depicts.

The specially commissioned Icon of the Divine Mercy of Jesus, donated in memory of Miss Juliet Blair, was consecrated during Holy Mass on Low Sunday 2006. The Icon is placed at the entrance to the Holy Cross Chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved near the Calvary Cross so that we have in close proximity three things which lift our hearts and minds daily to the Lord's Paschal Mystery.

This Icon was executed by Aidian Hart.

An Icon of the Patron Saint of the Parish, Saint Martin of Tour.  Here Saint Martin is depicted as a Bishop of the undivided church. The Icon was placed here at the beginning of the Centenary celebrations marking the creation of the Parish of which he is Patron. Its was solemnly consecrated by Bishop David Thomas, the Provincial Assistant Bishop at the High Mass on the day of the Centenary. May 20th 2003.