Reredos (Central panel)

Image: © Gerald England Taken: 24 Sep 2016

In front and below the East Window Image is the Reredos which was made when the church was rebuilt in 1847. The central panel records The Adoration of the Lamb by the Church of God. The Lamb is in centre of the aura, holding a pennon showing the cross and wreath. (A lamb with leg hooked around the pole of a flag shows Jesus as sacrifice that has triumphed.) This is surrounded by ten cherubim in a circle all facing the Lamb and two angels pointing to the Lamb and holding ends of a scroll with the words "Ecce Agnus Dei qui tollit peccatum mundi" (Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world"). On the left, kneeling or standing in worship are five saints of the New Testament: St Stephen in red robe representing martyrs; St John the Baptist with staff representing prophets; St Peter with two huge keys hanging from his belt and St John with chalice and serpent at the hem of his green robe representing the apostles; The Virgin Mary in blue with lilies growing in grass. On the right are four of the founders of the English Church: Chad, kneeling and holding his Bishop's crozier next to a model of Lichfield Cathedral (He was 1st Bishop and Wigan was part of the Diocese of Lichfield until 1542); Etheldred crowned in nun's habit (She was Queen of Northumbria then foundress of Ely); Augustine in green with hands together in prayer (He was 1st Archbishop of Canterbury) and Paulinus in blue (He was 1st Archbishop of York to which province Wigan belongs). Projecting above the central panel are two sculpted heads, both bearded. Below it are shields showing instruments of the Passion. [Information was gleaned from an information sheet in the church].

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