The Arch is made from grey Wallace freestone, from the Nova Scotia side of the Northumberland Strait, and is richly carved with foliage and teardrops to symbolise both the Life Christ gives and the sorrows He suffered. The earliest churches built in Rome in the 4th century incorporated triumphal arches honouring Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, and celebrating His victory over sin and death. William Harris always incorporated this feature in his church designs.
The Sanctuary is that part of the Chapel inside the great arch, and contains the Altar, at which the daily Eucharist or Mass is celebrated. Set into the front of the Altar are three roundels painted by Robert Harris that show (a) Christ making himself known to two of his friends “in the breaking of bread” at Emmaus on the Day of His Resurrection; (b) His Crucifixion; (c) Christ administering the Chalice to communicants. The Altar is made of carved walnut.
In the arched niches of the Reredos are statues of Christ (centre) flanked to the left and right by the twelve apostles and also St. Paul and St. Barnabas.
The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a Hanging Pyx which you will see above you, attached to a perpetually burning white candle.
Set high in the side walls of the Sanctuary are portraits (left) of St. Luke the Evangelist, by tradition an artist as well as a physician, a memorial to Robert Harris; and (right) St. James the Just, a memorial to Canon James Simpson, who played an important part in planning the Chapel before his death in 1920. Every subject inside the Sanctuary is drawn from the New Testament Church.
The round painting above the altar is of The Ascension of Christ, and has been a treasured icon to generations of Cathedral members. This is the only painting produced entirely on site at the insistence of the Artist to ensure it captured the desired tone.
The next station is located to your right.