For Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals
"John Vigar, I am certain, has visited more churches in England and Wales than anyone now living; more, probably, than anyone who has ever lived; and more, there is a fair chance, than anyone ever will".
Peter Ross, Steeplechasing published by Headline 2023.
This lecture is a stand alone title but follows on from John’s popular presentation `Murder, Sex and Mayhem in English Churches` in which he told the story of human tragedy and frailty as depicted in our parish churches.
In `For Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals` he builds on this approach to show how pictures and objects in our churches introduce us to historic practices – many of which have been forgotten or superseded – surrounding the so-called `Rites of Passage`.
Our first rite of passage – Baptism – is discovered via Holy Wells, fonts with their covers, canopies and chrismatories.
The second rite of passage – Holy Matrimony – is inextricably linked to church porches, mazers and Church Ales.
Our final rite of passage – the Funeral – is discussed though wall paintings of a sexton’s implements, huts to protect eighteenth century parsons at the graveside, and depictions of the last rites.
The lecture uses illustrations including carvings, wall paintings, stained glass and objects to show a thousand years of depictions of the milestones in our human journey.
