The Crossing
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Before entering the Crossing, we pause at its threshold. This is the gateway to the oldest part of the building, the Crossing and the Chancel, which go back to Norman times. This is the point where much of the worship is conducted, where marriages are solemnised and where the dead are sometimes brought before burial or cremation.
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In the Crossing itself, two Norman Arches survive, on the north and east sides (see Figures 4 and 5). There would have been four originally, but those on the south and west were pulled out and replaced with much higher Gothic (pointed) arches. Note that there is a slight point at the top of both of the original arches, rather than the typical Norman rounded form. This is one factor in leading some to conclude that this part of the church was built in the late Norman to early Transitional period (pre-Gothic).
Through the 1960s glazed panel in the northern arch can be seen the North Transept, which was separated by a screen to be used as a clergy vestry in the 1930s (not open to the public). The transepts date from an early development into a cruciform (cross-shaped) structure of the church, when the Nave and North and South Transepts were added. The South Transept, much enlarged later, probably in the 14th century, would originally have been similar in size and shape to the North Transept. |
Figure 4 Original Norman arch to north of Crossing
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Figure 5 Original Norman arch to east of Crossing
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To the north and south of the crossing are vicar, curate and choir stalls, installed early in the 20th century. St Andrew’s no longer has a choir. Instead, today sung worship is led by an electric organ and a contemporary music group.
Singing has been a crucial component of worship since Old Testament times, where psalms would often be sung at religious festivals. The psalmist wrote, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” (Psalm 40:2). Before Jesus’s arrest, he met with his disciples for a last meal. Then, the gospels tell us, “When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.” (Mark 14:26). Whilst musical styles have changed dramatically over the centuries, the urge to honour God with music and singing has been a fundamental aspect of the life of most Christians throughout history.
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Two other interesting features can be seen in the Crossing. Firstly, in the east wall above the arch is a rectangular opening. This will be discussed further in the section on the Chancel. Secondly, behind the vicar’s stall to the north and curate’s stall to the south of the Crossing are two rings embedded into the walls (Figure 6). Much debate surrounds these. It was once thought that these were rare Sanctuary Rings, used in mediaeval times so a person fleeing from summary justice could take refuge in the Church, and by holding on to the Ring they would be safe until their case could be properly tried. However, more recently it has been suggested that these were more likely anchor points for lifting bells into the belfry above.
The Crossing forms the central point of the cruciform (cross-shaped) layout of the church. Figure 7 shows an artist’s impression of what the church might have looked like prior to further additions and extensions to the building. |
Figure 6 One of the supposed 'Sanctuary Rings', located behind the vicar's stall in the Crossing
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Many churches were built in this format to mark the fact that Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. Christians believe that Jesus’s death on the cross was the means by which God saved us from sin, shame and evil. Despite its gruesome nature as a means of execution, the cross eventually became widely accepted as the primary symbol of Christianity.
Figure 7 Artist's impression of early cruciform church from Norman period. Based on the 1926 illustration which hangs in the South Transept.