John E. Vigar MA, FSA Scot., FRSA

For Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals

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show how pictures and objects in our churches introduce us to historic practices – many of which have been forgotten or superseded – surrounding the so-called `Rites of Passage`.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.

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Latest Blogs from John

It`s been a busy few weeks for me as I continue to research my Churches of Essex book for publication in 2025. I`m now at the stage of revisiting the churches to photograph them for the book and have been delighted to have been accompanied by some em...
I am sadly having to sell some of my collection of church books. Just let me know if you would like to purchase any - postage will be charged at cost. Local Styles of the English Parish Church Addison, Sir William Batsford 1982 Hardback VG 2.5 Jordan...
    Happy New Year to you all.   It`s a quiet time of year when churchcrawling is only for the dedicated - so why not sit comfortably at home and attend my 4 session Zoom course exploring the wonderful Churches of Norfolk?   It ru...
Wishing you and those you love a very Happy Christmas. Detail of a stained glass window by Christopher Webb at Isfield Church, Sussex.   John...

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