This morning worshippers and clergy from various Abingdon churches followed a cross down the precinct to mark Good Friday, one of the most important days in the Christian Calendar – the day when Jesus had to carry his own cross and to be crucified.
There was a minute or two of solemn silence on the Market Place before the parade followed the cross to St Nicolas Church for a service or hymns, prayers, and reflections.
Revd Dr Charles Miller has been lecturing at All Saints Church for the last five weeks on the frescoes of Fra Angelico. Charles came under the spell of the painter during a sabbatical spent in Florence in the winter of 2013, and the lectures are the result of that sabbatical, and his interest in Christianity and Art. The lectures were both art history, and drew spiritual lessons from the life of Fra Angelico.
Apologies for the poor quality of this picture taken with a phone from the balcony.
Most of the lectures concentrated on the frescoes painted in San Marco Dominican Convent in Florence – intended for the monks who lived in the cells. There are lectures notes on St Helens Church website but not many images. You had to go to the lectures for those. Many people did go, particularly the first two weeks – when the roads round All Saints Church were packed with cars.
Thanks to Julia for letting me know that St Nicolas Church (in the Market Place) are proposing to swap the pews for flexible seating …
So now is the time for the people of Abingdon to say whether they agree or not.
The church has been at the centre of life in the town for 850 years. Church members want to make it more available for use by the community, while maintaining its primary function as a Christian church. Details of the proposed changes and a questionnaire for comments can be found in the church or on the website (www.stnicolasofabingdon.org.uk)
The church is normally open on weekdays from 10-1.00 so please go in to discuss the ideas over a cup of coffee, or phone 01235 536343.
St Nicolas Church was also open this evening for the ABCD Film Club Annual Silent Classic. This year it was Sparrows starring Mary Pickford from 1926 – accompanied on piano by Andrew Youdell.
The Abingdon Baptist Scout’s Jumble Sale began with a queue at the door at 9am, and by the time I got there at 10:30 a lot of the best things had gone.
There were still some interesting books – such as an old edition of the The Book of Woodcraft and Indian Lore by Ernest Thompson Seton written in 1912 and full of illustrations.
The church’s redevelopment project is still being planned but they are not allowed to expand by removing or moving some of their existing walls. The classical facade, that most of us see, was added decades after the original building, which has red and blue brick on a rubble base – whose craftsmanship is of historical interest.
In the cafe at 35 Ock Street, adjoining the church, there is an exhibition of photographs by retired professional photographer Derek Banister.
At 35 Ock Street, there is also an outpost of the St Andrews Christian bookshop – based in St Clements, Oxford and run by the son of the Revd Michael Hambleton – a previous minister at the Baptist church. If you want to pay by card they connect you over the phone to the main shop and take your card details.