Staines Parish
St MARY’S
The Occulus and Side Chapel
When opening up the roof, the oculus, the round window, was put in place in the east gable high above the rood. It portrays the Archangel Gabriel, messenger of the Annunciation, carrying a white lily, not only an emblem of purity but also a symbol of the Virgin Mary. The fleur de lys is the heraldic symbol for the lily and represents the Trinity. It can be seen on the furnishings.
Mary is again referred to in the side chapel on your right. It is dressed in her colour -- blue. This chapel however is dedicated to St Anne who was Mary's mother. The decorations were donated by the Guild of Perseverance in 1916.
Have you sneaked behind the side chapel and squeezed past the organ pipes to the little cupboard on the right? Here you will be able to appreciate the original colour scheme of the church. You may also enjoy the graffiti provided by earlier choirboys. Certain surnames have a familiar ring!
The Nave
The proud position that St.Mary's held in Staines is again depicted in the stained glass window on the north side of the nave. This is a portrayal of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Stephen Langton who was present with King John at Runnemede in 1215. It was here at St Mary's that he consecrated the bishops of St.David's and Bangor. This was a ceremony that would have been performed only at a church of some importance. In the window can be seen the Charter of Liberties that formed the basis of the Magna Charta and which was drawn up by Henry I, an earlier Norman king. Langton’s was the first name of the witnesses of the Magna Charta. John had refused to accept his appointment as Archbishop and he was kept out of the see until 1213. No love lost there!
Further information can be found about
ST MARY’S, ST PETER’S AND CHRIST CHURCH
TOGETHER BUILDING COMMUNITIES FOR CHRIST
Finding Faith
Baptisms
Weddings
