The Mayor of Abingdon is the one person who still has his or her own pew in St Helens Church. There was a time when many people had special pews.

The corporation pew was paid for by the Corporation when John Tomkins was mayor in the early 1700s. Recently the Town Council gave a grant to the church for its upkeep and reinstatement during the church refurbishment.

The mayor still uses it when there is a civic or important church event. And the freemen and town councillors and other dignatories sit behind the Mayor.

However it is now located at the side, and the people of Abingdon now get as good, if not a better, view than the local dignatories. This is in line with Jesus teaching “He who would be last shall be first, and he who would be first shall be last…”

The carved figures of the unicorn on one side, and the lion on the other have rings which serve to hold the Abingdon mace. The mace itself has been compared to the mace of the House of Commons. ( picture of mace will follow )