All Saints' Cathedral

- Written by Seiborlang Suting, Fifth Semester, Media Technologies, 2023

In the tradition of the Church. The structure of a church building, the various parts of this structure and the objects that are placed within and without, are all based on a well-designed plan that makes sure that each part or object has significance or purpose in religious worship of the Church. Each of these objects represents the outward form of the Church’s worship. Normally, much thought and planning goes into the design and placement of each object in the Church building and its premises. In fact, the architects of the Church building make sure that it has no feature that is not necessary for convenience, construction or propriety. Each object or ornament is to aid in the enrichment of the essential construction of the building. Each detail in the church structure is meant to have a meaning or serve a purpose. Based on this philosophy of construction, the All Saints’ Cathedral building was constructed and the various objects placed inside and outside the building.

THE CHURCH TOWER OR SPIRE

Just as we are reminded of certain important things by some special sign put high up above us, so that none of us can escape seeing it, in the same way the TOWER or SPIRE of a church acts like a silent witness that reminds us of God.

A weathercock is placed on the spire or tower of the Church to tell us which way the wind is blowing. At first they were made in the shape of flags, and were called Vanes, which means banners of flags. A cock is used as a Vane because a cock is always awake and on the look-out early.The Vane seems always calling out to us to do three things:

1. “Be on the look-out. Your work as a Christian is to watch.”

2. “Turn your face bravely towards the hard as well as towards the easy things of life.” ( 1 Cor. 10:13)

3. “Remember that many eyes are watching you.” ( Mathew 5:14)

THE CHIMING BELLS

Two prominent features of the All Saints’ Cathedral each with a history behind them are the Church Bells and the Stained Glass Windows. Prior to the installation of the bells currently working in the Church, there were two bells. These Bells, the latest of which an 18” bell ordered from Roorkee with a Government grant of Rs. 200/-, did not either have a good sound nor good note, and so there was a need of a good bell worthy of the Church. In order to raise money for the bells and other needs of the Church, Lady Hammond, the Governor’s wife.

Organised a Fete in the Government House on May 21, 1931 and raised a handsome sum of Rs. 2,900/-.Rev. P. Higham who was in England in 1931, went to Croydon and sent out estimates of three different bells and out of them the Church Committee selected a chime of 4 bells with clavier. The order was placed with M/S. Gilleet and Johnstone Bellfounders, Croydon, who made the bells especially for Shillong Church. The cost of the bells including custom, freight to Calcutta, the steel frame works and apparatus was about £196/-.

THE LECTERN AND THE PULPIT

There are two things inside the Church which have specially to do with God’s Holy Word.

The Lectern the desk on which the Bible is placed, and from which it is read. The Pulpit- the raised stand from which the Bible is explained by means of Preaching and Teaching. The Lecter the word “lectern” comes from a Latin word, which means reading desk. Lecterns are often richly carved in different forms. In the case of the Lectern in the All Saints Cathedral Building. The form of the eagle with outspread wings is to remind us how Jesus said His Gospel should be.

THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

The four stained glass windows that beckon us on entering the Church are memorials to persons closely associated with our Church. Two stained glass windows placed in the north-east and south-east of the Chancel have as subjects Christ's Nativity with the inscription "Born of the Virgin Mary", and His initiation of the Lord's Supper with the inscription "Take eat this is my body".

Both these windows were erected in 1904 in memory of Charles Graham Dingwall Fordyee, Conservator of Forests. Weymouth on October 11, 1902 at the age of 44 and of the architect of the All Saints' Cathedral, W. A.Tagg Arundell, Engineer and Architect of the Assam Bengal Railway, who died in Calcutta on December 7, 1902 at the age of 44. The other two stained glass windows at the East End of the Chancel were erected later in memory of William Banks Gwyther, F.R.I., B.A., Secretary to the government of Eastern Bengal and Assam, Public Works Department, who died on June 10, 1910. These two stained glass windows have as subject Christ's Resurrection and Ascension with the following inscriptions: "Rose again the third day" and "He ascended into Heaven".

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