St Mary the Virgin and All Saints, Potters Bar

Raised up on steps in front of a shallow apse is the broad stone high altar bearing the Latin inscription ‘Verbum caro factum est et habitavit in nobis’ (‘The word was made flesh and dwelt among us’ John 1 v 14). The altar is surmounted by a large crucifix, believed to have been designed as a processional cross and originating in Belgium. Six tall candlesticks flank the crucifix, three either side.

Ranged along the south side of the chancel are four round-headed arches the contrast oddly with the Gothic form of all the other arches. One of these opens into the vestry passage and two are at the rear of the Choir. In the sanctuary, the fourth arch frames the blank recess for the sedilia.

Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament/Lady Chapel

On the north of the chancel is the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament where the Reserved Sacrament is stored in a tabernacle on the altar. This chapel also serves as the Lady Chapel and is used during the week for daily Eucharists

The whole chapel was refurbished in memory of Fr Frederick Perkins, OGS, a much loved Assistant Curate and later Honorary Assistant Priest, and on the marble floor on the right hand side of the stone altar can be seen his memorial tablet.

The Windows

Most of the window glass in the north aisle and all that in the south aisle is grisaille with centrally-placed symbols, but the whole of the east window of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and some lights on the north side are filled with stained glass. The rather dark glass in the centre window represents the adoration of the infant Jesus by the shepherds. The light to the left depicts St