Blessed Sacrament Chapel
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The Blessed Sacrament Chapel on the north side of the High Altar Sanctuary was dedicated on the 12th August 1947 in memory of the life and work of Archbishop Hutson, Archbishop of the West Indies and Bishop of Antigua 1911 - 1936). There is an inscription to that effect on a small brass tablet on a column nearby.
The Altar in this Chapel, which is of local workmanship, was given by Dean Shepherd in memory of his wife, Amy Louise Shepherd who had died in 1936. The Cross and Candlesticks on this Altar are in memory of the life and work of Dean Shepherd.
The Painting
Over the Altar for many years, there was hung a very fine painting which is believed to represent Our Lord at the time of His temptation. (in certain light the face of Satan can be seen over Our Lord's shoulder). In the Bishop's Diary there is an entry dated 4th November 1939 which reads as follows:
"The Bishop received the following information regarding the picture in the Cathedral from Dr. W.E.R Edwards per Mr. W.R Forrest:
"The picture was given by Dr. Edward's grandmother after her grandfather's death. In my youth I remember hearing that it was by the Italian painter Correggio!
Should this be the case it would be very valuable."
During the restoration work in preparation for the 150th Anniversary of the Cathedral, the painting had to be removed when the Altar was moved forward, and it will be re-hung in a suitable place in the Cathedral.
On a pillar between the High Altar Sanctuary and and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel are two objects of interest.
(1) The Canterbury Cross and Stone. The purpose and significance of this will be best expressed by quoting from the Service which was used on 3rd May 1936, when it was unveiled by His Excellency the Governor Sir Gordon Letham and accepted by the Dean (G.S. Hand) on behalf of the Anglican Diocese:
| Archbishop: |
"The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Christ Church, the Mother Church of Anglo-Saxon Christianity, have presented ninety-two Stones, cut from the fabric of that ancient building, to the Cathedral Churches of the Anglican Communion throughout the world. Of these, ninety have been sent to the Cathedral Churches of the British Empire, and two to representative Churches in the U.S.A. And the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral have placed on each stone a bronze cross and an inscription in Latin, which being translated reads:
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Archbishop: |
(Delivering Stone to Dean)
I ask you to accept this Stone for our Cathedral Church of St. John's in Antigua, which I now commit to your charge for safe keeping." |
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Dean: |
We accept with gratitude this gift from the Mother Church of Anglo-Saxon Christianity, as a perpetual reminder of 'the Rock from which we are hewn' and of the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ in which alone is the assurance of our Salvation." |
(2) The White Marble. Inserted into the corner of the pedestal which supports the pillar is a small piece of white marble. This is a fragment of the lovely reredos formerly in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, which was totally destroyed in one of the air raids on the city in September, 1940. This piece of marble was given as a token of appreciation of the gift sent by our Cathedral to assist with the building of a new Altar and reredos in St. Paul's.
