White Altar Cloth, Red Altar Cloth

White Altar Cloth

Displayed above the Holy Table in the North Transept

The white altar cloth was worked by Ester Sophia Rainey early last century.

In 1959 the frontal was remade and gifted to the church by Mr John Perfect and Mrs Douglas-Nugent, a friend of the original donor. Finally, it was fashioned into a wall hanging by Mrs Margaret Mahood a skilled and talented needlewoman and parishioner until recently.

Margaret took tailoring classes for 5 years in Harrogate and moved to Rostrevor in 1966 when she married George Mahood. Needlework is part of the art curriculum nowadays.

Margaret is an artist in the textile tradition.

Red Altar Cloth

On the Holy Table at the East End

Margaret also repaired the red altar cloth displayed on the main altar. Margaret’s sewing skills have allowed several richly embroidered pieces of Church furnishings to be preserved and continue to be used. The Christogram IHS on the Altar Cloth is a monogram for the name “Jesus” from the Greek … ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. This symbol was first used at the end of the seventh century.

 Pulpit fall design