The High Altar

Charles William Mitchell was baptised in this Church on 1st April 1855 and died at Jesmond Towers on 28th February 1903. Later the same year, on 20th November 1903, the high altar was dedicated, a gift from his widow in connection with the general adornment of the Chancel begun by her late husband. It was designed by Mr R G Hatton of the School of Art and constructed under his advice, by the Handicrafts Society in Newcastle. The altar is of oak and ivory. Ebony and gilding were also used in the decoration as well as the carving.

The front decoration consists of various symbols and representations of the four Archangels:

Chemuel, the Archangel of the Sacrament, holding a Chalice;

Uriel, the Archangel of the Light of God, holding the sun;

Michael, the Archangel of judgement, holding a flaming sword;

Gabriel, the Archangel of the Annunciation, holding the Lily.

Reference is thus made to the passage in the Communion Service, where it says 'Therefore with Angels and Archangels' etc. There are also symbols of the Earthly and Heavenly Life - a ship and a heavenly city, taken from a prayer used in the Baptism Service in the book of Common Prayer - 'Pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he/she may come to the land of everlasting life'. The carved decoration introduces the vine, which is symbolic of Christ.