A TOUR OF ST MARK'S CHURCH (part 1)
Click on the words in blue to see an illustration - some of the files are large and may be slow to download. The altar frontals, kneelers and other embroideries are described in a separate section.

St Mark's is oriented in the traditional way, with the high altar at the east end of the church. The main entrance is through the south porch and door. The first impression is of light, from the white-washed walls, bleached wood and plenty of windows, few of which contain stained glass.

In front of the entrance is the font, which is placed near the door to remind us that Christians enter into their faith through baptism, and is raised on a step to symbolise the first step on the Christian path. The font shows Our Lord standing in the River Jordan, with a Dove descending on Him, as the Holy Spirit begins to be given to us at our baptism. Around the Jordan stand a vast throng of people, who are both those present at Jesus' baptism and those who are still not Christian and await baptism. In the water swim fishes: the fish is an ancient Christian symbol, because the Greek word for Fish I-Ch-Th-U-S gives the initial letters for Iesus-Christos-Theos-Uios-Soter: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour.

To the left is the west window at the back of the church, which was designed by W. Carter Shapland. Its theme is the Mission and Commissioning of the Church, which began at Whitsunday or Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples "like flames of fire", and continues to this day through the Sacraments. At the top are the hands of God, and a dove. Fire then descends from heaven, first on to the prophet Isaiah, who heard God's call in Old Testament times and received the Holy Spirit. A six-winged seraph, or angel, brings a live coal of fire in his hand (as described in Isaiah chapter 6). Below him stand the twelve apostles, each with a tongue of flame behind their heads as on Whitsunday they receive God's power and commission. Each carries his characteristic symbol, traditionally used in art. Seven doves fly among them, showing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. At the foot of the window the modern commissioning of a Christian is shown in the sacraments of Holy Baptism (left) Confirmation (right) and, for some, Ordination to the priesthood in the two centre lights.

To the right is the north aisle. Near the tower door is the St George window, also designed by Carter Shapland. This shows St George and a fiery dragon, and commemorates Peter Court, who was killed in the Second World War. (The previous church commemorated a Victoria Cross parishioner in a similar window.) The badges of the regiments in which Court served flank the saint; on the left the Hampshire, on the right the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. Beneath the window lie the Books of Remembrance, containing also the Rolls of Honour for 1914-18 and 1939-45. Book One records names previously on gravestones; Book Two is arranged on a 365-day basis to commemorate the faithful departed of the church of St Mark: the calligraphy was done by Mildred Ratcliffe. The Children's Altar, to the right, has a panel by Enid M. Chadwick. This depicts the birth of Jesus, with shepherds and wise men greeting him. The frame at the side holds a picture relevant to the season of the church year.

At the end of the north aisle is the Lady Chapel. The engraved glass over the door, depicting Christ ascending into heaven, was made by F.B. Barker of the London Sand Blast Decorative Glass works. The Lady Chapel's doors are almost sound-proof, as it is kept as a quiet place for private prayer. The window shows the Archangel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she is to be the mother of the Lord. Her response, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord", is written on the altar frontal which will usually be seen below. In the season of Lent, the frontal displaying symbols of the Crucifixion of Jesus is used instead. The silver cross on the altar (during services) shows similar symbols, but from them light rays shine to indicate the triumph of the cross. The candle-sticks are in the shape of an open flower: this set was made by Neil Harding. A lamp hangs over the altar to show that the Blessed Sacrament is reserved here, in the aumbry to the left. On the wall to the right are copies of an Italian work of art made by Christine Hall: terracotta plaques of the Virgin and Child, with attendant archangels.

To the right of the Lady Chapel, on the north side of the chancel arch, a small mediaeval worked stone from Southwark Cathedral is built into the wall. "It is the custom of the mother church" wrote the Cathedral Provost "to give away pieces of herself to be built into her daughters". It has been inscribed with the Diocesan Arms and the word "Southwark".

During the Easter season a special candle called the Paschal Candle is lit, and placed in a tall candle-holder which was made in 1994 by David Kortright, a member of the congregation. He also made the two wooden stools on which the Priest and Deacon sit in the chancel (the enclosed area around the altar). The Reconsecration stone in the chancel carries the Arms of the Diocesan Bishops who consecrated in 1845 (Winchester) and 1960 (Southwark).

The chancel roof was painted by Robert L. Hendra and Geoffrey F. Harper. Immediately above the altar the Hand of God and the Dove carrying a wafer of bread emphasize God's action in the Consecration of the Holy Communion. To the left and right two open books give the first and last words of St Mark's Gospel in the authorised version. Two winged lions passant each with a gospel beneath an upraised foot are for St Mark, whose emblem in the New Testament is the lion. Immediately above the Communion rail four symbols of Jesus' life read from left to right: the Annunciation (lilies and a sceptre); the Nativity (king's crowns and shepherd's crooks); the Baptism (a shell); and the Passion (crown of thorns). Behind the altar the last bay of the roof has sun, moon and stars, representing Heaven; joyous angelic trumpeters worship God.

Behind the high altar the Reredos is decorated with doves, which always represent the Holy Spirit. Two angels stand in prayer, echoing those at the west end who play trumpets: these were designed by Harold Youngman and carved by Arthur Robinson, whose daughter Mary was a member of the congregation. The panel at the north end is carved with honeysuckle; the panel at the south with clematis. The Altar itself has beneath its frontal a carved oak panel depicting chalice and wafer. The high altar cross has as its centrepiece the Lamb of God. The cross, silver communion plate and candle-sticks were made in 1960 by Hurst, Franklin & Co to designs by Milner and Craze. On weekdays and in Lent they are replaced by a wooden set. The altar frontals vary with the season.

Taken (with amendments) from the leaflet "A guide to St Mark's Church" by Anne Nichols, 1996, and from the part of the pamphlet "Surbiton Parish Church: Beauty for Ashes" written by Canon Blair-Fish in 1960 to celebrate the reconsecration of the rebuilt St Mark's Church.

On to the Tour of St Mark's Church (part 2)

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