The Nave
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Note the high, Gothic (pointed) arch at the east end of the Nave, which replaced the original Norman arch in the 14th century (Figure 10). Notice the line of the original Nave roof in the wall above the arch. This demonstrates the original height of the Nave, before the roof was pulled down and replaced with a higher one in the 14th century. The length of the original Nave is unknown, but it is believed to have been extended to its current length in this development.
To the north side of the Gothic arch is a pulpit, which is relatively modern, but made using old wood, mainly Jacobean (Figure 11). It was moved from the north-west corner of the Crossing to its present position early in the 20th century, when the new Clergy and Choir Stalls were introduced into the Crossing. 
Figure 11 The Pulpit
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Figure 10 The high Gothic west arch of the Crossing seen from the Nave
Below the pulpit is the door which originally led to a Rood loft through the door above the pulpit, and provided access to the belfry. However, this door is now walled up. The belfry is now accessed from an external door adjacent to the clergy vestry. To the south side of the western Chancel arch stands a brass lectern, introduced early in the 20th century, on which stands a church Bible in the Anglicised New International Version translation, which matches the Bibles located in the pews. |
The reading of the Christian scriptures and preaching from the pulpit form an important component of the church’s worship Sunday to Sunday. The Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, remains foundational to Christian theology, and together with tradition and reason forms the three-fold essence of Anglican thought. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Each week clergy or Readers (lay ministers) attempt to provide enlightenment on the meaning and application of the Bible to the congregation.
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The arcade of arches on the south side of the Nave is 14th century, and slightly to the south of the former Norman wall which they replaced (i.e. the Nave was widened). The pillars are quite unusual in that they have no capitals, but a series of corbels instead. The north wall sports two window panels in the perpendicular style, which were installed in the 15th century, together with the west window of the Nave. Later in the 15th century the three clerestory windows above the south arcade of the Nave were opened up.
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Underneath the more westerly perpendicular window in the north wall of the Nave are two memorial plaques to those soldiers of Clevedon who fell in the two World Wars of the 20th century, and a book of remembrance (Figure 12). These form a focus for the community to lay wreaths to remember them, and all who have died in conflicts since, as they commemorate Remembrance Sunday each November.
‘Caring for our community with God’s love’ is the motto of St Andrew’s church. As the Parish Church of Clevedon, the annual service of remembrance is just one of the many ways in which the church provides spiritual and pastoral care for the town community.
Figure 12 Commemorative wreaths placed under the World War memorial plaques on the north wall of the Nave
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On the west wall of the Nave, either side of the west window, are two plaques on which are written the Ten Commandments.
In the Old Testament these were given by God to Moses on two tablets of stone (Exodus 20; 24:12). Christians still hold to the importance of these commandments, although Jesus taught that all of the Law of Moses (the first five books of the Bible) was summed up in two commands: to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-38). Love is the defining principle of all true Christian living.
The Nave contains the bulk of the seating for the congregation, currently in the form of wooden pews. The historical value of these should not be overstated. Almost all of these are Victorian or later additions to the internal fabric of the church.