The chancel screen in the nineteenth century -the effects of Pugin and others

The medieval church supported the installation of chancel screens and rood lofts in parish churches based on the separation between heaven and earth described in the book of Genesis and reflecting the separation of the holy of holies in the early temple as the place where only the priest had access. The rood cross illustrating the crucifixion of Christ would often be flanked by figures of St Mary and St John and the loft would be a place where musicians could be situated. Whilst the placing of a rood and chancel screen at the time of the Reformation was not banned, the installation of both declined in this period. After the restoration of the monarchy after the English Civil War chancel screens returned but often with a coat of arms above them rather than a rood.

In the nineteenth century the work of Pugin was influential in the return of chancel screens and the rood, particularly in Roman Catholic Churches from where he received the most commissions for his work. The Cambridge Camden Society, acting on the theology of the Oxford Movement supported the installation of chancel screens. The screen represented Christ’s passion through which the salvation of the congregation became possible. It also signified the separation of the priest as the representation of Christ at the Eucharist. The placing of a chancel screen in an Anglican Parish Church was frequently controversial as to some people it suggested “Popery” and many parish churches were built without screens allowing a clear view of the altar table and the service of Holy Communion. The absence of separation between minister and people was an aspect that was supported by the Evangelical part of the Church as it emphasised a lack of distinction before God between minster and people. Even the introduction of a plain rood cross without the associated figures could lead to accusations of superstition and idolatry. This was sufficient to bring the Rev Liddell of Pimlico before the Ecclesiastical Courts in 1855. Architects gained greater freedom as the Neo-Gothic Revival progressed and some Anglican churches had chancel screens with a full rood constructed such as St. Andrew’s Monkton Wyld (Dorset). After the fist world War many churches were rebuilt and financial limitations meant that screens may not be included even when the church tradition would have supported them. If you were building a church would you include a rood or chancel screen?

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