The high altar in St Helens Parish Church was donated by Miss Pendlebury. A team of talented volunteers make and maintain the linen which covers the table, and also the banners and other materials in the building. Behind the communion table is the dramatic oak Reredos which was given to the Church by the Men’s Bible Class to mark the Golden Jubilee of the Class in 1938. It was carved out of a single oak tree felled in 1918 to raise funds for the British Red Cross and designed by the Architect, Mr W. D. Caroe. The design was exhibited at the Royal Academy.
In the sanctuary area you will also see the Sanctuary Chair, donated by St Mary’s Mission and the Bishop’s Chair donated by the Bradbury Family, in memory of Harry Bradbury’s lifelong service to God in ‘the Church he loved so well’.
Surrounding the sanctuary area there is Oak Panelling known as the Willink Memoria, donated by Lady Cecily Starmer, the elder daughter of Dean Willink, in memorial to her parents. Canon Willink was Vicar at St Helens Parish Church from 1891-1904.
Communion is not usually celebrated from this high altar any longer, usually we now use the nave altar which is closer to the congregation.
This chalice is from the original St Elyn’s Chapel
The inscription on the chalice reads ‘the gift of Mr Roger Langton of Broughton to St Ellen’s Chapell 1712’. It is stored securely and used just once a year on Maundy Thursday when we remember Jesus sharing a meal with his friends, which he told us to do in the same way in remembrance of him. This meal is known as Holy Communion, or The Eucharist or The Mass.