Christ Church Brunswick

A Guided Tour of Christ Church

	Christ Church is a wonderful example of "Italian Renaissance" architecture, although the campanile alone is of Romanesque design. Dedicated in 1857 and classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), the church has been a centre of anglo-catholic worship in Brunswick for nearly a century and a half.
	As you enter the church through the front door into the campanile, note the window of the Agnus - the Lamb of God. The Agnus is a lamb with a lion cub's face. It carries the banner of the Cross of Christ and is one of the symbols of Christ Church. The bell in the campanile is rung from here.
	Moving into the porch, you reach the holy water stoup. Surmounted by a beautiful example of a Madonna and Child, the half shell which contains the holy water comes from the Papua New Guinea Diocese of Aipo Rongo, with which Christ Church has had a long association. Christians of many traditions bless themselves with holy water as they enter and leave the church. Dip the fingers of your right hand in the water and make the Sign of the Cross.
	Opposite the holy water stoup, above the noticeboard, is the trefoil window of the Holy Trinity. This simple, elegant window beautifully encapsulates the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. Moving in turn from each outer circle to the inner circle, it reads "The Father is God; The Son is God; The Holy Spirit is God". Moving in turn around the outer circles, it reads "The Father is not the Son; The Son is not the Holy Spirit; The Holy Spirit is not the Father".
	Moving into the rear of the church, the focus is immediately on the font, that fount of Living Water. Behind the font is the Pascal Candle, blessed and first lit at the mystical service of the Easter Vigil on Easter Eve, when the waters of the font are also blessed and baptismal vows are renewed. This service is the culmination of Holy Week.
	Looking to the walls on your left and right, you will see two of the 14 bronze reliefs which form the Stations of the Cross. As you turn to face the Sanctuary and begin to walk up the nave, notice the other Stations on both sides. The service of Stations of the Cross is usually said during Lent and on Good Friday.
	As you approach the nave crossing, the image of Christ the King shines from the window of the same name on the right-hand side of the nave. Christ Church is dedicated in the name of Christ the King.
	Arriving at the nave crossing, turn to the left to see the Lady Chapel, nestled in the North transept. Sit for a few minutes and remember your family, friends and the needs of the world before Our Lord and His Mother.
	As you return to the nave crossing, look closely at the pulpit. The panels of the pulpit contain icons of three of the evangelists painted by Nicholas Draffin.
	Looking across to the South transept, one is immediately captivated by the beautiful pipe organ, the "king of instruments". Used to accompany the choir and congregation, this glorious neo-baroque instrument was built by Roger Pogson in 1971.
	On the wall above the Gethsemane altar in this transept, is the icon "The Mystical Supper" painted by Michael Galovic.
	Return again to the nave crossing via the lectern, in traditional style in the form of an eagle.
	Facing the Sanctuary and the High Altar, the veiled Aumbry contains the Bread of the Living Presence. We are reminded of the presence of this holy sacrament by the flame of the white altar lamp. Notice also the three stained-glass windows above the altar, representing, from left to right, Christ the Good Shepherd, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. With the faithful of Christ Church, genuflect in reverence to the holy sacrament and then slowly retrace your steps back to the front door of the church.
	Outside, on the left can be seen a marble relief of the Madonna and Child, dedicated to the memory of Margaret Ball.
	Walk through the iron gate to the Memorial Garden. This leafy oasis is the resting place of the ashes of many of the faithful. Sit and rest for a few minutes to remember and pray for the faithful departed, that they may rest in peace and rise in glory.
	Walk the length of the church and take a moment to pray in front of the Statue of Christ, remembering that the Church is the Body of Christ, and we, as members of it, are His instruments in the world.
	Follow the path through the garden around the back of the apse to the Sacristy, or Priest's Vestry.
	The Sacristy has an unusual brass knocker on its heavy timber door. It is in the form of a demon. Traditionally, in many countries, fugitives could not be touched by the law if holding on to such a knocker whilst seeking the sanctuary of the church.
	Complete your tour of Christ Church by walking between the church and the vicarage to rest at the fountain in the piazza, giving thanks with the Angels and Communion of Saints, for Christ, the Living Water.

We hope you have enjoyed your "virtual" tour of Christ Church. We look forward to meeting you when you come to the real Christ Church and worship with us.