Pulpit Falls

In 1991, two pulpits falls were presented to St. Mary's. They were designed and created by Hannah Frew Paterson who imaginatively and tastefully wove features of the building and the story of the congregation together in a fine piece of art work, full of symbolism.

Pulpit Fall

In the blue fall, used Sunday by Sunday, the triangular shape of the seven roof beams has been represented as metal, a reminder of our industrial origins and of the coal miners and steel workers who were the congregation until recently. On the blue background are the characteristic micro structures of carbon steel, which reflect the process history of the steel. In the centre is a furnace which, as it were, forged the community in which the fellowship of St. Mary's was born and developed. The furnace is now damped down, the steel industry being massively reduced; but rising from it, and ascending through the steel triangles, is a dove, the symbol of hope rising, as it were, through the supporting beams of our church, into the circle at the top, representing the eternity of God.

 

Communion Pulpit Fall

The simpler white fall, used on sacramental occasions, employs the same triangular symbol, balanced by a chevron of ears of wheat. In the stem of the wine chalice can be seen the shape of a cross; at the very top appears again the dove, this time descending, the sign of God's spirit coming upon us.