Reredos 1914-18 Seaman’s Mission Church

Seaman’s Mission Church, Seaham Harbour

Unknown

1914-18

Unveiled 25th July 1922 by Admiral W.F. Slaytor, C.B.;
dedicated by Rev. F.J. Cutts, chaplain.

Mr. Leonard A. Pownall of Falmouth.

Oak frame made by Mr. R. Humphrey of Sunderland to the artist’s design.

Death is Swallowed up in Victory
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

To the Glory of God and in Grateful Memory of
the Men of Seaham who gave their lives at sea during the Great War,
and also of Seamen and Mission Workers killed in action or who died from injuries
received on active service 1914-1918.

Left hand column
(Names)
The Souls of the
Righteous are in
the Hand of GOD
and their shall
no torment
touch them

Right hand column
(Names)
In the sight of
the unwise they
seemed to die
. . .but they
are in peace
Wisdom 3 v 2

Reredos in the form of a picture.

At centre is a picture of the risen Christ surrounded by angels in armour and (right) St. George.

At the bottom is an oval wreath bearing the dates “1914-18″ with crossed flags behind, and quotation from John’s Gospel on each side.

Right across the top are the words “Death is Swallowed up in Victory”.

The names are listed in a single column in the border down each side, with, at the bottom, (right) the “IHS” monogram and (left) the “Alpha and Omega” monogram.

The dedication is in the bottom border.

Lettering is gilded in a mix of fonts.

1. “The beautiful memorial erected in the Seamen’s Church has been greatly enhanced by the placing of a high power light, reflecting on the reredos, which has had the effect of bringing out the details of the great artist’s work which hitherto has not been seen.”

2. Artist’s description of the painting:
“Our Lord is shown as a Victor over Death in a halo enclosed by palm branches forming a central vesica, the victory over death being indicated by the usual banner. St. Michael is casting out the serpent and St. George has overcome sin in the form of a dragon.
On either side we see St. Alban and St. Edmund as types of Christian warriors. St. Alban makes the full surrender to the Lord and St. Edmund offers his Saxon Crown on bended knee. The symbols of the two latter are seen on their shields. Guardian angels above hold martyrs’ crowns.
At the base is a laurel wreath with the dates of the Great War and the Union Jack and Red Ensign and along the bottom of the picture the text “Greater Love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends”. The inscription on the frame above the picture is “Death is swallowed up in Victory”.

Postcard: Dorothy Hall

Seaham Weekly News
12/01/1923 makes report in Note 1 above;
28/7/1922 reports unveiling.

Sunderland Echo
02/03/1920 reports proposals.

Sources of quotations:
“Death is swallowed up in victory” Corinthians 15 v 54
“Greater love hath no man . . .” John 15:13
“The souls of the righteous . . . in the sight . . .” all from Wisdom of Solomon Chapter 3.

Dorothy Hall

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk