Church Architecture
The
architect was John Sutherland. The interior is centred, as is right,
on the altar of Creetown granite, the immense figure of Christ in majesty on the
Cross, the lectern or pulpit, shaped like the prow of a ship, reminding us of
the barque of Peter, and the large Sanctuary area, ideal for the celebration of
today's liturgy. Although the Church was opened in 1958, before the
liturgical adaptations of the Second Vatican Council, it was a very simple task
to bring it in line with today's way of celebrating the Eucharist.
The
roofing of the church and the 101 foot spire were carried out with
Westmoreland slates and the spire soars majestically in a very contemporary
style over the town of Dumfries.
The
Baptistry
The
single window in the Baptistery (by William Wilson) shows Our Lord being
baptised by St John the Baptist. The window is in the richly coloured
conventional style of 13th Century French glass. The glowing red figure of
Christ is set against the cool blues and greens of the background and stylised
river in which there is a fish, an early Christian symbol.
St
Joseph's Window (William Wilson)
The
stained glass window outside the Baptistery represents St Joseph as a carpenter
at his workbench.. Beside him, holding out his hands, suggesting the
Cross, is the boy Jesus. Nails and pincers, tools of the carpenter's
trade, recall the Crucifixion.
The mosaic in the Chapel of Our Lady (by John Kingsley Cook)
This represents Our Blessed Lady as she appeared in the
Grotto at Masabielle in Lourdes. Below the figure on the right of the
shrine is the miraculous spring which was revealed to St. Bernadette. The
words "Que soy era Immaculada Councepciou" I am the Immaculate Conception, are
the words spoken to Bernadette in the French patois of the locality in 1858, the
year of the apparitions.
The mosaic is in enamel tesserae from Venice,
together with green marbles from Sweden, pink and ivory from Italy, granite from
Creetown, Caenstone from France, red sandstone from Locharbriggs, pebbles from
the Solway shores and two pieces of grey stone from the actual grotto of
Masabielle.
The mosaic is a modern example of a method of working "in situ"
first practised in the 5th Century in Rome and probably unique in
Scotland. Working with three assistants, it was carried out by the artist
in three weeks.
The
Stations of the Cross
(Also by Forrest) are contained in a frieze of carved sycamore,
extending 50 feet along the Church, and suspended from a mahogany
beam.
The
Shrine of St Teresa ( by Norman J. Forrest )
A
life sized carved figure of St. Teresa turned slightly towards the light, and
her promised "shower of roses" descends around her. Her empty hands
symbolise her vow of poverty and her outstretched arms her "Little Way" of
self-surrender. An incised floral pattern gives the effect of clouds among
which her "roses" stand out in bold relief.
Please see Photo Gallery