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The focus of the Church, both architecturally and spiritually, is the Altar. This is God’s Table, at which the faithful share in the power of Christ’s Risen Life, by feeding on the Sacrament of his Body and Blood under the forms of bread and wine. The reredos of Caen stone and Derby alabaster (1866) depicts the Old Testament scenes of Melchizedek’s offering of bread and wine, and Abraham’s offering of his only son Isaac, illustrating different aspects of the eucharistic theme.
The semi-circular Norman arch to the south side is a visible reminder that Christian worship has been offered on this site for at least some eight centuries.
The two-level sedilia and the piscina are of the C13th, as is also the arcading which opens into the north chapel (now occupied by the organ). The opening known as a hagioscope or squint, gave additional visual access from the north chapel to the High Altar. The low, pointed C13th doorway to the north of the Altar probably led to a tomb or chantry, adjoining the Chancel on the north side. Much of this work can probably be attributed to the patronage of the Lovel family, who were Lords of the Manor from about 1268 until 1485.
Piercing
the north-west corner of the Chancel wall are the remains of the stairway
which originally led to the Rood-loft.
Dimly discernible in the apex of the Chancel arch is a crowned head. Experts
suggest that it most closely resembles Edward IV, who died in 1483 when
Francis (first and only) Viscount Lovel was Lord of the Manor. The last
years of the reign of Edward IV covered a peaceful period, favourable
to the rebuilding of a church. In 1486 Henry VII granted the manor of
Tichmarsh to Sir Charles Somerset when Francis Lord Lovell was deprived
of his estates at the end of the Wars of the Roses. This is the Lovell
who, as Richard III’s Chamberlain and friend, was lampooned in the contemporary
rhyme:
The
Cat, the Rat, and Lovell our dog,
Rule all England under the Hog.
The walls and windows of the Chancel were much embellished in the C19th. The paintings on the Chancel walls were executed over a period of twelve years by Miss Agnes Saunders, who was sister-in-law to the Revd. F .M. Stopford, (Rector 1861 to 1912) On the completion of her work in 1895 Miss Saunders, with another Northamptonshire lady, took up mission work among the Indian children of the South African diocese of Lebombo.
The stained glass in the Chancel windows is all by Messrs. Hardman of Birmingham. The east window depicts Christ’s Nativity and Baptism, Crucifixion and Ascension, and several episodes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom the Church is dedicated. The windows on the south side of the Chancel depict various incidents from the New Testament, giving particular prominence to St. Mary Magdalene and St. Peter.
The high altar and
reredos
Detail from the reredos
- Melchizdek's offering
Detail from the reredos
- Abraham's sacrifice
South door in Chancel
with Norman relief
Boss of monarch
(assumed Edward IV)
East Window with glass by
Hardman of Birmingham
Painting on south wall
by Agnes Saunders