The Altar Table

The altar at Deane is unique. The frontal is of carved oak, the centre panel depicting "The Martyrdom of George Marsh, at Chester April 24th, 1555".... the scene being adapted from an old print. Above the martyr's head is shown the barrel of tar to which the records refer. Over the scene of martyrdom is carved, on two streamers, "Via crucis" and "Via lucis," that is, The way of the Cross, The way of Light.

Over the panel is carved a small chalice and the design of a vine interwoven with ears of wheat.

On the other four panels are carved and guilded the symbols of the Evangelists on red shields-

St.Matthew- a winged man

St.Mark- a winged lion

St.Luke- a winged ox

St.John- an eagle.

It may be thought that the scene of a burning at the stake is not exactly a fitting subject for the Holy Table, but it must be remembered that it was because of his denial of the doctrine of Transubstantiation and for his protest against the denying of the Cup to the laity that George Marsh suffered at the stake.