St Albans church gets new crucifix

A NEW crucifix has been dedicated outside a St Albans church after a figure of Jesus was stolen several years ago.

Young St Albans artist Antigone Harding was commissioned to produce a new art work for the Calvary – Wayside cross – outside St Saviour’s Church in Sandpit Lane.

But it was considered too fine and too precious to be exposed to the weather so a replica was painted on to metal to be displayed in all the elements.

The Archdeacon of St Albans, the Ven Jonathan Smith, recently dedicated the outdoor crucifix as well as the original painting which now hangs inside the church.

Antigone, 20, a student at Cambridge School of Art, described the painting as echoing the Arts and Crafts/William Morris decorative style used in the interior of the church as well as the Franciscan crucifixes which hang in many Italian churches.

Behind the figure of Jesus are grapes which symbolise the passion of Christ and lilies which represent his Resurrection.

Father Peter Wadsworth, Vicar of St Saviour’s, described Antigone’s new crucifix for the church as “a wonderful work of art which we hope will be loved and treasured by the people of this parish and city.”