St Stephen's Parish
Serving the Catholics of Skipton, Craven and the Dales
Sanctuary
The sanctuary is the focus of the church and where the Eucharist is celebrated. The Mass is the 'source and summit' of Christian life so it is from the Altar that Christians receive the strength and grace they need to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The sanctuary was one of the main additions to the church in 1853 when the church was extended. The Tempest family vault was also constructed under the Altar. The sanctuary was re-ordered in 1975 by bringing the Altar forward fulfilling the teaching of the Second Vatican Council requiring altars to be free standing. Until then the Altar was joined to the Reredos - the carved screen behind the tabernacle.
On either side of the Altar are two intricately carved shrines to Our Lady and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The wooden altar rails adopt the dog-tooth motif that is evident in the church building. The Altar and altar furnishings were given by Monica Tempest in 1853. More recent gifts include the Celebrant's chair from Hugh and Frances Fattorini and the lectern from a legacy of Joyce Hutchinson.
Another focus on the sanctuary is the tabernacle where the Eucharist is reserved The sanctuary lamp on the right burns in honour of the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The tabernacle has a small stone canopy over it.
Fr Richard Sharp's memorial brass is on the west wall of the Sanctuary. This was erected in 1939 by the parishioners. Fr Sharp is depicted in Gothic vestments and holding a chalice, a posture that imitates older medieval depictions of priests.
On the left of the Altar is the Shrine of Our Lady which has a marble Madonna and Child in a pose reminiscent of the statute of Our Lady of Help in Ushaw College. This shrine was paid for by subscription from parishioners and erected in 1900.
The north window of the church was given by Monica Tempest in 1853 and has three panels. Their narrow and pointed forms, like lances are characteristic of the early English style. The three panels are in the form of a Rood scene showing Christ on the Cross ministered to by angels with Our Lady on the left and St John the Evangelist on the right. This grouping was favoured by the medieval Church.
The west and east windows on the sanctuary depict St Stephen and St Elizabeth with the young St John the Baptist. He is Christ's cousin as well as his herald.