St Cuthbert's Church - Newspaper Article
Publication: The Tablet (originally published in the Blackpool Gazette)
Date: Saturday 29 June 1895
Title: St Cuthbert’s, Blackpool
On Sunday, the Bishop of Liverpool (Dr. Whiteside) dedicated a new high altar for use at St Cuthbert’s, Lytham Road, South Shore, Blackpool. Special services were held during the day, and were all well attended.
The new altar has been erected by Mr. Boulton, of Cheltenham, from the designs of Messrs. Pugin and Pugin, London, the well-known church architects.
The chancel has a square end with a large rose window in the gable, the sill of which is 23 feet from the floor line.
The reredos, which is of Bere stone, has been placed against the wall beneath the window, and is 24 feet across.
The altar is approached by three malplaquet marble steps.
The altar stone is supported by three shafts of Labrador granite of a quatrefoil plan, with carved caps and bases of alabaster, and beneath the altar in the centre is a panel in which is carved the chalice and the vine, with the word “Sanctus” beneath. There are angels in the panels on each side, holding scrolls on which is carved the word “Sanctus”.
The alabaster tabernacle is richly moulded and carved. The tabernacle door is of brass repoussé work, and above this a panel has been placed in which is carved the Pelican. Over this is a gable richly crocketed leading to the throne, and above the great canopy supported by four fossil marble shafts. The first stage of the canopy is vaulted and is connected to the reredos at the back. The centre canopy rises to a height of 28 feet, and is gabled and crocketed.
The reredos, which is of Bere stone, is divided into three panels on each side, these panels being divided by marble columns supporting canopies gabled and crocketed. Flanking at each end are two niches in which have been placed the figures of St Cuthbert and St Bede.
Beneath the niche on the gospel side is the ambry for body oils, and on the epistle side is the credence table.
All the panels are filled in with paintings of angels adoring, which form a line of colour and gold about 18 feet long.
The chancel is paved with mosaic.
The communion rail, which is of very elaborate design, is of alabaster. The central gates are brass.
The sermon was preached by the Right Rev. Mgr. Carr, V. G., and in the course of it he said they had all assembled there that morning to worship God before that new altar. If he interpreted the character of the congregation aright, he should say it was formed of people who had many different views and thoughts in their minds. They had come to worship, it was true, but with what diversity of thoughts, beliefs, aims, aspirations and motives! For there was in this age and country a disunion of thoughts, of beliefs, and of feelings; and might not the reason be that they forget the lesson of that day, that love was the true worship of Christ? Before concluding, the preacher referred to the fact that three members of the congregation had borne the expense of most of the work they saw that day, and asked for prayers on their behalf.