For this church:

Introduction

Location

History

Archaeology

Contacts

Fittings

Glass

Organ

Bells

Clock

Stonework

Monuments

War Memorial

Churchyard

References

Pictures

Plans

Listing Description

List of Incumbents

Parish page

Ollerton
St Paulinus

Features and Fittings

Altar

The altar table is of baroque style, made of an unknown wood. The altar rails are also of baroque style.

Altar Cross

The cross above the altar is of a simple design, in a light oak. It is illuminated from behind and can be removed as necessary. It was designed by Geoff Wright, a member of the congregation, and made locally by the Dukeries Community Workshop.

Bishop’s Chair

To the north side of the altar is the Bishop’s Chair, used by the Bishop on visits to the church. To the south side of the altar, in a recess in the south wall, is a bench fitted into the recess.

Pulpit

The pulpit is of brick with lead fittings. It dates from the original construction of the church.

Font

The font is also brick, pseudo-cruciform in shape, built with a mosaic cover and surmounted by small carvings of a young boy and girl. The interior is also lined with green mosaic. It also dates from the original construction of the church. Interestingly there is a space at the bottom of the font where a fire could be lit to warm the water. The effect is identical to coppers or set pots used in working class housing of the time, including the housing then being constructed in New Ollerton. Whether this is a conscious attempt to identify with the home lives of the congregation, or mere coincidence, is not known.

Wall Plaques

Two terra cotta type plaques on the wall in the north and south aisle, one to each aisle. Each is of blue and white colour. Their origin is unknown but they are of Italian appearance, possibly coming from the Della Robia factory. One shows the Angel Gabriel and Mary and the other Mary and the baby Jesus. There is some suggestion they may have been a gift from the proprietors of the Butterley Company, who were of Roman Catholic sympathies, but this is not known. Each plaque is on the wall immediately behind one of the arches separating the aisle from the nave, and so is not readily visible from the nave.

Mining Community Book

A leather bound volume in commemoration of the mining community of Ollerton is kept in a glass-topped display desk to the western end of the nave close to the west door. The desk is made of white oak. The book and the desk were provided by the congregation for the church after the closure of the local colliery in 1994.

Photographs and Drawing

There are a number of photographs of the church in the past hung on the walls of the nave. In particular, on the west wall to the left of the main entrance door is a photograph of the interior of the church, showing it before the removal of the choir seating. On the north wall of the nave is a line drawing of a previous design for the church, never built.

Doors

The doors have scrolled iron and bronze furniture.

Seating

There are no pews in the nave or the choir. The chairs in the nave are those originally in use from when the church was built. The original chairs in the choir were removed some years ago and replaced by freestanding upholstered seating.