Ecclesiastical Textiles

Altar Frontals

An altar frontal is the piece of fabric used to cover the front of the altar and possibly the sides, rear and top.

• A framed altar frontal comprises of fabric stretched over a lightweight frame, which fits under the top of the altar. The Goldwell Chantry has an example of a framed altar frontal.
• A hanging altar frontal is suspended from an extended canvas top or from a pole fastened onto hooks on the front of the altar. St Luke’s Chapel has an example of a hanging frontal.
• A modern ‘Laudian’ altar frontal is one that covers the front, back, top and sides of the altar and is best suited to an altar with plenty of space around it. The High Altar, Nave Altar and Bauchon Chapel frontals are examples of Laudian frontals.
• ‘All Seasons’ altar frontals use multi-coloured, woven jacquard fabrics which are suitable for all liturgical seasons except for Lent, when the altar frontal is removed. St Catherine’s Chapel has an example of an All Season’s altar frontal.
• A superfrontal is the separate ‘pelmet’ like piece of fabric that covers the top of the altar frontal and visually enhances and balances the design proportions. On smaller altars, a superfrontal complete with a fringe may be incorporated into the frontal itself. The Goldwell Chantry has an example of an integral superfrontal.

Altar Linen

The Christian altar is associated with the idea of ‘sacrifice’ and is a table that people gather around to receive the Body and Blood of Christ under the sacramental forms of bread and wine. White linen, symbolising ‘purity’, plays an important role during the Holy Communion service.

• The altar must be covered with a Fair Linen cloth, with 5 embroidered crosses - one in the centre and one on each corner of the altar top and may be further decorated with lace edging or white work embroidery.
• The Corporal is the most sacred item of church linen as the bread and wine is consecrated on it. The Corporal is folded into 3 ways to symbolise the Trinity and usually has an embroidered cross on one edge.
• The Purificator is used for drying the chalice during Holy Communion. It is folded into three ways to symbolise the Trinity and is usually decorated with a small embroidered cross in the centre.
• The Pall is a small white linen covered board placed on top of the chalice, and has a cross, sacred monogram or symbol of the Passion in the centre.
• The Lavabo towel is used for drying a priest’s fingers before the consecration of the bread and wine, and usually has a small embroidered cross on one or both ends.
• The white linen Mensa cover is used under the Fair Linen cloth.
• Coloured linen altar covers protect Fair Linen cloths from dust and marks and are removed during services.

Vestments

Vestments are special clothes worn by the clergy when performing prayer or processional services, and especially for celebrating Holy Communion. Clergy vestments are only used during services.

Vestments

• identify whether the minister is a deacon, priest or bishop,
• show the type of service being performed, and
• remind us of God’s nature and love for Mankind.

Early vestments developed from the everyday dress of ancient Greeks and Romans in the early 4th century, evolving over the centuries as Christian ideas and ceremonies have changed. Modern vestments reflect the technological changes of the last thirty years, with washable fabrics, modern fastenings and pockets for microphones.

The fabrics and designs of vestments may reflect those of the frontals and may include

• Black cassock and white surplice with black scarf and academic hood worn for ordinary services and evening prayer. The cassock is a long, close fitting tailored coat; the surplice is a loose, knee length white cotton or linen robe. The black scarf worn by the canons bears the arms of the Cathedral on the left breast and the academic hood reflects the degree of the wearer and the university where he or she studied.
• Surplice and stole worn for simple sacramental services – the stole is a coloured band of cloth the colour of the liturgical season.
• Chasuble and stole worn with a white cassock alb, only worn to celebrate Holy Communion. The chasuble is a long loose circular garment with a hole cut in the centre for the head.
• Cope and stole worn on special occasions or for evening prayer over the black cassock, surplice and stole. A bishop will also wear a distinctive hat called a ‘mitre’. The cope resembles a long cloak that is open at the front.