In the days when St Mary’s was built, Mass was celebrated at the High Altar, with the priest facing away from the people. A B Wall of Cheltenham’s flamboyant altarpiece of intricately carved in brilliant white stone would have been lit by candles and the natural light from the lofty stained glass windows above.
On either side of the tabernacle, angels swing their thuribles to incense our prayers.
In the front of the altar a striking image of a pelican is found, feeding its young. The pelican symbolizes Jesus our Redeemer who gave His life for our redemption and the atonement He made through His passion and death. We were dead to sin and have found new life through the Blood of Christ. Moreover, Jesus continues to feed us with His body and blood in the holy Eucharist.
