St Paul’s Church Moor Lane Kersal Moor Salford: Reredos

ST PAUL’S KERSAL MOOR - A reredos has just been put up in this church at the sole cost of a member of the congregation. It is the length of the east wall of the chancel and about 7 feet high. The materials are Bath stone, Caen stone and marble. Over the lower part is worked a simple incised diaper. Above this in the centre are three square panels divided by polished marble columns with foliated capitals and whose bases are carried on richly carved corbels. Moulded quatrefoils are sunk into these panels, each containing a ribbon with a legend interwoven, with which is elaborately carved foliage. In the centre panels are the words “This do in remembrance of me,” with the passion flower symbolising Christ’s sufferings. On the left side is the inscription “Jesus said I am the bread of life’,” with a handful of wheat ears, their natural size. On the right hand the scroll reads “He that believeth in me shall never thirst,” with a branch of the vine-bearing grapes, figuring Christ and his people. On the extreme left of the altar-piece, in incised letters, are the first four commandments of the Decalogne; and on the right the remaining six commandments with the prayer “Lord have mercy on us, and write these Thy laws in our hearts, we beseech Thee.” Over the centre panel rises an equilateral pediment, surmounted by a foliated cross and containing the sacred monogram “IHC.” A Boldly carved cornice above the panels completes the reredos, which has been executed by Mr Evan Williams of Manchester from the designs, and under the superintendence of Mr J Medland Taylor, St Ann’s Churchyard, Manchester. [Manchester Courier. Saturday 9 August 1862 Page 9 Column 1]

Reference    Manchester Courier, Saturday 9 August 1862 Page 9 Column 1
Reference    Builder 9 August 1862 Page 572 - description as Manchester Courier