Columns (Portico) A Portico is a Greek building design, where a shelter held up by pillars stands at the front entrance to an important building. Such buildings relate back to the times of Jesus. This is a Corinthian, based on the Pantheon in Rome.
Tower A steeple, is a tall tower topped by a spire and often incorporating a belfry and clock. Steeples are very common on Christian churches and cathedrals and the use of the term generally connotes a religious structure. This church’s tower is made up of three parts. These included a base with a clock, a belfry drum, and a domed stone cupola with gold caryatids made by sculptor J.C.F Rossi in 1814 .
Clock Clock towers were not a part of Christian churches until about AD 600, when they were adapted from military watchtowers. At first they were fairly modest and entirely separate structures from churches. Over time, they were incorporated into the church building and capped with ever-more-elaborate roofs until the steeple resulted.
Bells Bells are common in churches and cathedrals. They are rung to re-
mind people of the time, and also of when services are about to take place. They are sometimes also rung when the Eucharist is taking place.
The Sanctuary and The High Altar The High Altar sits in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is the holiest part of the church, where the Eucharist is celebrated at the altar, and where people direct their prayers towards God at the altar. The altar relates back to the early Jewish temples where animal or food, or smoke offerings were made to God. As Jesus was sacrificed for us, Christians now offer praise and thanksgiving, and remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice at the altar instead. The altar is where Christians pray to God, giving thanks and also asking God for help. You will also find the Aumbry or Tabernacle in the Sanctuary. This is where the bread and wine of the Eucharist which remains after the service is kept and then brought out for another service, or taken to people who are not well, at home or in hospital. The High Altar here was designed by Thomas Harris when the church was modified in 1883. The original High Altar now sits in the Holy Family Chapel.
Pews Pews are seats where the congregation sit during services. The pews in the Nave are Victorian, added after the church was redesigned. The original pews can be found in the galleries above.
Choir Pews The Choir is where the choristers stand or sit during the services when they are singing. These mahogany pews were added in the 1880s during church alterations. ¡
Two Organs (At the front) The organ pipes at the front of the church are what remain of the organ of 1883 when the church was modified. We now use the Rieger organ which sits at the back of the church.
Apse The Apse is the dome above the Sanctuary. The Apse was designed by Thomas Harris and added to the church in 1883. The Frescoes were painted in the 1880s by John Crompton, one of the artists appointed to help decorate the church when it was modified in 1883 along with Edward Armitage.
Stained Glass Windows The church used to house beautiful stained glass windows. However, these were blown out during the blitz in World War Two. Parishioners and school children collected the broken fragments and they were re-inserted around the edges in the new clear windows after the war.
¡Angels
In this church, you can see many images of angels. Angels are figures that Christians believe live in heaven, and sometimes visit and speak special messages to believers, to tell them of important news, or even visit to protect or watch over people to keep them safe from harm.
Who we are The Rector of St Marylebone, The Revd Canon Stephen Evans, writes: St Marylebone Parish Church is a place of active and engaged Christian witness, set at the very heart of central London. With a history stretching back nearly 900 years, we seek to offer God worship that has long been renowned for musical and liturgical excellence and to serve the diverse community in which we are set.
Contact Us
17 Marylebone Rd, Marylebone, London NW1 5LT
020 7935 7315 http://www.stmarylebone.org/index.php