The Pulpit
The pulpit, a superb specimen of old Flemish wood-carving,
came from Antwerp. It bears the date 1651. It was presented to St. John's by
the Rev. E. Wyatt Edgell, Rector of North Cray, and came from the original
church. The pulpit is purported to bear the inscription "Antwerp,
1651". However, no-one has been able to find the word "Antwerp".
An old Sidcup Directory states that the pulpit originally had a gate and it is
probable that "Antwerp" was inscribed on the gate. Close inspection
of the top of the staircase to the pulpit shows where the gate hinges once
were.
The evangelists, who form the subject of four of
the panels, are portrayed in an unusual sequence: Matthew, Luke, John, Mark.
The fifth panel is of a later date and inferior design, and appears to have
originally stood against a wall. This panel was carved after the pulpit's
removal, probably from the original church. Among the other ornamental carvings
are more than twenty cherubs' heads and two grotesque faces.