Two aisles, north and south, run down the sides of the church with the
nave in the middle. Down the north aisle there are many beautiful stained
glass windows which are memorials to parishioners. To
see these windows look at the images page The
North Aisle Stained Glass Windows. In the north aisle there
are many single comfortable chairs which can be moved to allow different
arrangements to be made for services, meetings, group work and so on.
Also, in this area, is the housing for the speech reinforcement equipment.
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The organ pipes
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At the east part of the north aisle there is a wooden barrier to protect
the exposed organ pipes. Above these pipes is a brick arch with black
and gold text saying "SING UNTO THE
LORD AND PRAISE HIS NAME". Down the side of the north aisle
are various brass plaques commemorating different people through the
years, one of which is shown below.
There is also an area associated with personal prayer where there is
a small altar with candles, which are lit as a sign of the offering
of prayers. There is a prayer desk with a book for people to write names
of people or events who need prayers said for
them.
On the altar is a copy of a 16th century Russian icon bought with bequest
money in 1998. An icon is not a piece of decoration,
but rather an aid to prayer and worship in the Orthodox tradition of
Christianity. Icon literally means image and it is a depiction of Christ,
the saints, or of a biblical or other scene. This icon is of 'Christ
Pantocrator' which means 'Christ almighty.' It is a very common depiction
of Christ as a teacher. His right hand is raised, not in blessing, but
rather in the traditional gesture of an orator. In his left hand he
holds a book, the Gospels. See pictures of the prayer desk and
altar below. Chairs are grouped around the prayer desk and altar.
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