The Lady Chapel
The Lady Chapel was consecrated on 31st October 1882, the
eve of All Saints' Day, by Edward Parry, Suffragan Bishop of Dover.
The Memorial Chairs have the name of a departed one carved
on the top of the back of the chair. Fifteen of the chairs had been given by
December 1933 and, by April 1934, all twenty-four of the chairs requested had
been presented, with a promise of four more. Two of the chairs are in memory of
a former gentleman of the choir and of a former choirboy. These chairs have now been moved to the west end of the church.
The window behind the altar in the Lady Chapel was given by
St.John's branch of the Mothers' Union to replace the one destroyed by enemy
action in March 1945. It was designed by Sir Ninian Comper (who also designed the present East window)
and was dedicated on Whit Sunday, 1947. The window portrays the Madonna and
Child. The letter 'M' constantly recurs in her richly figured blue robe, which
is lined with ermine.
At the bottom of the window are the roots of an oak tree,
whose branches, with their leaves and acorns, form a decorative pattern. In one
corner of the window is a little strawberry plant, showing leaves, flowers and
fruit; it is thought this may be the artist's private mark.
The four smaller windows portray Jesus in the manger, Jesus
fleeing from Herod, the boy Jesus in the carpenter shop, and Jesus in the
Temple.
The rail fixed near the steps leading up to the Lady Chapel
was a gift in 1969.
In 1975, the Lady Chapel was re-decorated, newly curtained
and carpeted, largely due to the Mothers' Union.
The stone columns, which divide the Chancel from the Lady
Chapel, were originally at the bottom of the chancel steps before the screen
was erected.