The Sanctuary

             
The Bread and Wine used at the Holy                     Stained glass showing the risen
Communion                                                           Jesus meeting Mary Magdalene                         

The area at the east end of the church is called the sanctuary. Here stands a table sometimes called the ‘high altar'. Christians gather round this table for the 'Eucharist' or 'Holy Communion'. They recall a meal Jesus shared with his disciples during which he used bread and wine to help them understand more about his coming death, and what it would mean for them.

Jesus took a loaf of bread ... broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this is remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup ... saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.'
(First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 11 verses 23-25)

Jesus' death was not the end of the story. He was raised from the dead. One of the windows above the altar shows Jesus meeting Mary Magdalene outside his tomb. You can read about this in St John's Gospel, chapter 20 verses 11-18.

Christians believe that the death and resurrection of Jesus for ever changed our relationship with God.

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as in Adam all die, so all will be made alive in Christ.
(First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 15 verses 20-22)

The East Windows

The beautiful east windows show Jesus in the centre as high priest in heaven. St Patrick and St George appear in the outer windows. Then on each side are two angels. On the left are the Angel of the Agony who strengthened Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane and Michael and on the right, Gabriel, God's messenger, and the Angel of the Resurrection.

The central window was altered following the terrible railway accident at Harrow and Wealdstone Station on October 8 th , 1952. The whole sanctuary area was remodelled as a memorial to the 112 people who died there. Many of them lived in Watford and worshipped in our church and their names are recorded on a memorial at the back of the church.

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