Visiting St James’s Church

Today we visited our local Church, St James’s at Spanish Place.

To support our current Religious Education topic – Local Church: Community – Celebrating, we all came together for our first class trip!

We were so lucky to be taken round the beautiful Church by Father Philip, the Parish Priest. He told us lots of new information about the special features of the Church, how different celebrations are celebrated and what Saints are represented by amazing statues and stained glass windows.

Nursery were so calm and respectful throughout our visit, they listened very well to Father Philip, answering his questions and sensibly asking their own.

First Father Philp spoke about the Altar, and what it represents – showing us the ornate painting on the front of the Altar. Father then told us all about where Jesus is kept in the Tabernacle during Mass, and showed us this at the back of the Altar. Father explained the different and special ways Jesus is present during Mass, and how we all come together to celebrate and thank God at Church. Father explained how people who have taken their First Holy Communion can come to the Altar to receive the bread and wine that are blessed by the Priest during Mass.

Then Father Philp took us into a Chapel at the side of the Church, where we sat in front of another Altar, that stood underneath a large ornate painting of Mary. Outside the Chapel, Father Philip showed us a very important statue showing Jesus being held by Mary, and both of them are being held by Anna, Mary’s mother. Inside the Chapel was a large Font, where families come together to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Father Philip reminded Nursery all about the celebration of Baptism and the special steps a Priest takes to Baptise a baby.

Nursery were given a special tour of the Church by Father Philip. We stopped at each statue or Altar to see the ornate and special artefacts that are held there, including which Saint the Altar is dedicated to. Father Philip explained why the Saint is important to remember, what they did for us and why people pray to them. In front of an Altar for our blessed Mary, we stood and reflected whilst saying the Hail Mary. We also said the St Vincent’s Prayer for Father Philip, who was very proud that everyone could put their hands together and say the prayer.

What an amazing first trip Nursery, well done!