FEATURE
increasing importance of the church
was recognised in 1853 when it was
granted parish status.
The commitment by local people
to go on investing in their church
did not stop with the Victorians.
Inside there are notable features that
immediately catch the eye and which
bear testament to a continuing care by
those who worship there.
Looking towards the Sanctuary and
Chancel you can see fine depictions
of the ‘Ten Commandments’ dating
from the 1950s. The paneling and
floor were installed in 1912 and are
a memorial to a previous vicar who
served for a remarkable 42 years.
The pulpit sits impressively in its
place at the centre of the church and
Acknowledgement and appreciation
go to St. Blasius website: http://
st-blasius-church.org.uk/; The
Buildings of England: Isle of Wight
by Nikolaus Pevsner; and Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._
Blasius_Church,_Shanklin
supports five panels depicting St. Peter
with his keys, St. Thomas, patron
saint of builders, with his block,
the Virgin with the infant Jesus, St.
Bartholomew, with the knife used
when he was flayed alive, and St. Paul
with an enormous Sword of the Spirit.
Further pragmatic and practical
change was made in 1997 when the
baptistery was converted into the
Parish Room. As well as providing
a useful and practical space it also
houses items of interest which include
the Silksted chest and a number of
photos and engravings of the church
in the past.
Writing in A History of Hampshire
and the Isle of Wight W.M. Page said:
“...it has been so altered and added
to that it is now of little interest...” I
could not disagree more. The church
is beautiful outside and inside. It
is an active place of worship and
feels it. The site has been a place
of Christian worship for over 900
years. Those who have gone before
remind us that churches are living
and dynamic buildings not museums.
Each generation has a responsibility
both to preserve but also adapt their
churches for their needs to safeguard
their future. St Blasius is a testament
to this spirit.
Picture by Laura Boynton
www.visitislandlife.com
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