Architect : F.C.Withers
Stonework: M.F. Murphy
Interior and Roof: R.I. Curry, Boston
High AltarDecoration: Creighton Withers
Chapel Design: Ralph Adams Cram
Chapel Decoration: Durr Freedley
Chapel Reredos: Sr. Mary Veronica,OSM
Woodcarver: Angelo Lualdi
High Altar Crucifix: John Howard Benson
Stained Glass: Hardman Stained Glass,
Decorative Art: Lydia Smallwood Redmond
|
 |
   
The Rood Screen & High Altar |
The great Rood Group high atop the choir screen commands the attention upon entering the sanctuary. Carved with the delicate cusped foils and Gothic traceries, the rood screen gives prominence to division between choir and nave, and magnificently frames the entrance into the chancel and High Altar. The screen was installed in memory of Fr. Beattie and carved to harmonize with the chapel screen. A memorial inscription to Fr. Beattie is seen on the chancel side of the cross beam. This Rector collapsed at the altar one Sunday and passed away August 26, 1919.
The eye then follows the soaring lines of the Caen stone reredos, encrusted with crocketted spires, grotesques and gargoyles in very quintessence of the High Gothic style. The arcaded bays feature the Agnus Dei, the Pelican and centrally, the Cross. John Howard Benson designed the brass altar ornaments as a setting for a crucifix of the 15th century.These were presented by Mrs. Henry Brewerton in memory of Caroline Ennis. The High Altar is an imposing block of pure white Corona marble with a center front motif of a Cross wreathed in small carved bells. The three steps ascending the altar are in place for the traditional three sacred ministers, Priest, Deacon, and Subdeacon- three also being the number of the Blessed Trinity, the Virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, and the threefold Sanctus.
|
Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament |
In 1913, when Mrs. Sidney Webster was planning her gift to S. John's of a chapel in memory of her husband, she engaged the very best advice and artisans known for excellence in liturgical arts- Ralph A. Cram, architect, Kirchmeyers of Boston, carvers, the Sisters of St. John the Baptist, embroiderers, and Durr Freedley, Curator of Decorative Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
Durr was a multi-faceted talent, working in many mediums with equal artistic genius. Much sought-after by Newport, Boston and Newport society families, he accepted commissions in stained glass design, portraiture, landscapes, interior design, liturgical decoration and as procuring agent for antiquities and Fine Art. His painting of Portsmouth's Vaucluse Ruins can be seen at the Alice Brayton House, Green Animal Farm, and one of his acclaimed stained glass original designs can be seen in our Chapel, in the chancel. The Melchiseldek, The Great High Priest window has recently been praised as a "remarkably fine example of the Arts and Crafts Revival style" by stained glass expert, Dr. Virginia Rauguin, Professor of Decorative Arts, Holy Cross, Worchester. The cartoon, or drawing of this window will be on display in the choir room. It is a remarkable piece of work- notable for its curved, unleaded expanses of glass, its unusual color palette, and merit of design. Often overlooked, this small lancet should be seen in the late morning to truly appreciate its spectacular color.
The chapel features a 12 foot high reredos painted by Sister Mary Veronica OSM in egg tempera depicting the Throne of Heaven surrounded by adoring angels and saints with Our Lady and St. John in each corner praying for the parish. On each side reposing in carved niches are 87 saints carved and polychromed by Angelo Lualdi. The cylindrical Tabernacle is a masterpiece of gold and polychrome intaglio. The doors open to reveal inside the Alpha and Omega carved on the reverse. The interior linen canopeum is suspended on curved brass rods mounted with brass beads fitted into the roof of the Tabernacle
|
The Baptismal Font |
| The first stop inside the church is appropriately the Baptismal Font. This has, by tradition, always been located thus -symbolizing Holy Baptism as the first step on our journey in this life . The font is Caen stone, with a superb carved rendition of St. John, the Baptist crowning the top. You will find hexagonal panels of carved quatrefoils and wide carved banding of lilies beneath on the font. |
The Creche |
| The left corner of the East wall contains an Italian Creche and carved case which is very dear to the hearts of our parishioners. In 1914 Mr. And Mrs. Sidney Webster donated this crib in memory of Cecily Northcote, their cousin and ward, who had died as a young girl while travelling in Italy. The antique dolls were collected from all over Europe, and the Bethlehem landscape was painted by Miss Redmond. Mr. Webster constructed the mountain from paper and plaster of Paris and Mrs. Webster arranged the miniature bolts of fabric and dishes. The lion was especially carved in Oberammergau, Germany- the town famous for its Passion Plays every ten years. He is a perfect companion for the Seventeenth Century figures and animals. The creche is opened only from Christmas Eve through the Ephipany season yearly and is a focal point for devotion during the Christmas season and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It is lovingly decorated yearly and prie-dieux are set before it for the Faithful's prayers of thanksgiving for the Incarnation. |
The Lady Shrine |
| To the far right on the screen, just to one side of the lectern from which the Epistle is read, the glorious polychrome Lady Shrine reposes beneath a gilded and crocketted spire. She was created in 1929 in the Bruges studio of M. Wispalaer. Her azure rainment bears the symbolic fleur-de-lis and her right hand points toward her Divine Son cradled over her heart. The wrought iron candelabra below is of a European style and upon careful inspection reveals the letter M for Maria in the fancifully wrought curves. The small prie-dieu kneeler also bears her monogram, and the blue color and fleur-de-lis of her vesture. The needlepoint was completed in 1999 and worked in wool and metallics on 13 stitch canvas by Margaret Mckissick. The shrine was a memorial to the mother of the Rector, Fr. Hamlin. |
Paintings, Icons and Treasures at S. John's |
| The delicate oil on canvas painting behind the font depicts St. Anne, the Blessed Virgin as a young mother and the Christ Child. This was painted by decorative artist and parish member, Miss Lydia Redmond of Eustis Avenue-an indefatigable benefactress over the years to the young ladies of the parish. The wall shrine of carved wood is a representation of our patron, St. John the Evangelist, designed and executed by Mr. Davis d'Ambly of Philadelphia , and is a recent addition. The needlepoint on the prie-dieu is carefully researched after an English pattern and stitched by Margaret Mckissick, a dearly departed member of our Altar Guild. Directly facing the St. John wall shrine is a large granite pillar. On the nave side of this column there is a niche carved into the stone at a height of 8 feet from the floor. Within this niche reposes a small primitive Madonna and Child reputed to be as early as 10th century, from the Abbey of Clermont-Ferrand, France, and mounted on a corbel of stone from Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire, England. |
|
