The Chancel - A Prophecy about the coming of the Messiah
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
The Chancel has a barrel roof showing the importance of this space. It is the oldest part of the church, probably 12th century. The east wall was rebuilt as part of the William Butterfield reordering of the Church in 1872. The fine niches, with statues of St Nicholas and St Aldhelm, seem to be 15th century, contemporary with one on the outside of the west tower. St Nicholas is thought to have been a previous dedication of the Church and St Aldhelm was Abbot of Malmsbury Abbey in the 7th Century. Malmsbury Abbey was the mother Church of St Mary’s before the Reformation. The stained-glass window behind the altar depicts the Ascension and was installed in 1883.
Anecdote
When the Church was Renewed in 2020 the Victorian pews were removed from the Nave and replaced with chairs. Although the pews were well made, they were considered of limited historic importance as heritage expert advice was that they were factory made, probably in Swindon. However, it was decided to save the shorter pews and to move them to the Chancel to make a chapel which is now used every other Sunday to celebrate Holy Communion.
Bible Reading
