The plaster image in the Lady Chapel is its central feature and was gifted to St Andrew's in 1914 by Arthur Laxton Hames. The story why it was given and who he was is a bit patchy yet, but Elizabeth Amias has been able to find out quite a bit about him so far: I … Continue reading Restored Central Image in the Lady Chapel
A new tabernacle for St Andrew’s
The Blessed Sacrament gets reserved in churches for practical and devotional reasons. Those who visit the sick and dying can take consecrated hosts on their visits without delay. At the moment reservation is especially useful indeed as nobody touches the contents during the week - that means if I disinfect my hands before distribution this … Continue reading A new tabernacle for St Andrew’s
8 Shillings and sixpence per Word
You may recall that I asked for some help funding the restoration of the superfrontal for St John's Chapel some time ago (see here). Angie Fox has started work by taking things apart and restoring the lettering - it reads 'Sanctus - Sanctus - Sanctus' meaning 'Holy - Holy - Holy.' Interestingly the original price … Continue reading 8 Shillings and sixpence per Word
Arrangements inside the Church Building
Previously I have written 3 little blogs named 'The Beauty of Holiness' about St Andrew's Church history and how both the needs of the congregation and the arrangements within the building have changed over the past 160 years. Some of the adaptations stood the test of time, some seem to need revising to make the … Continue reading Arrangements inside the Church Building
The Beauty of Holiness – Part 3
Over the past week I have been looking through files and pictures, talked to people about their memories and hugely benefitted from the research Elizabeth and Paul have been doing. I have been fascinated by how much the central parts of St Andrew's have changed over the past 160 years. Sometimes the changes were driven … Continue reading The Beauty of Holiness – Part 3
The Beauty of Holiness – Part 2
The South Transept – the Lady Chapel St Andrew's has changed considerably over the past 160 years and all old buildings suffer from contradictory temptations of their users: to throw things out which are special because fashion changes, and to fill spaces with not very desirable items (well, clutter). I keep discovering interesting things (and … Continue reading The Beauty of Holiness – Part 2
The Beauty of Holiness – Part 1
Something I am very keen on is the missional quality of Beauty. Beauty is attractive and speaks of God, as God is beautiful. St Andrew's is a wonderful building with many beautiful things, which need looking after in order to speak loudly about God. Even if a sense of beauty is highly individual and a … Continue reading The Beauty of Holiness – Part 1
1862: Beginnings
St Andrew’s was born at a time of great change in Leicester. The town was expanding rapidly and from a population of less than 17,000 in 1801, it had quadrupled to 68,000 by 1861. In 1801, almost everyone lived within the line of the ancient walls; by 1861, the town was advancing into the surrounding … Continue reading 1862: Beginnings
