The Apse painting

Paintings in the Apse

When the present Holy Trinity Church opened in 1763 it had a small apse at the eastern end of the nave.  The upper part was painted blue with stars across it.

A three-decker pulpit and box pews dominated the building but as the emphasis on preaching gave way to services using more music and ritual, rector and parishioners sought to alter the building to meet these changes and to provide more seating.  Arthur Blomfield, diocesan architect, drew up plans for a completely new church.  The only part to become a reality was the apsidal chancel and two apsidal side chapels designed to replace the small apse at the east end.  Work began on the chancel and chapels in 1887.  They were dedicated by the Bishop of Winchester on the eve of All Saints Day 1888.

Blomfield conceived the painted decoration for the apse on the theme “the presence of the Crucified in the Church of all ages”.  Artists thought to be responsible for the work include Buckeridge and Floyce of Mortimer Street, London. There is little other information available.

The dome of the apse shows the Worship of the Ascended Lord in Heaven, completed in 1898.

Beneath this is the inscription “Thou art worthy O Lord to receive glory and honour and power.”

Below that there are three distinct sections:
The central painting shows Christ on the Cross, flanked by The Virgin Mary and St. John in a green background, based on a fresco by Perugio (1446-1523) in the Convent of Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzi in Florence.

On the north side are Aaron, Moses’ elder brother and prototype of the Jewish priesthood; David the first king of Israel; and the prophet Isaiah.

On the south side are St.Paul, the apostle to the gentiles; St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr; and St. Augustine of Hippo, influential early theologian.  The latter two were only completed in 1891.