In church at the front (East side), you will find the Altar. This is where the Priest, breaks bread and pours out the wine. They then share this, with the congregation during a service of Holy Communion.
In 2024, Maureen Geraci and her two sisters from America, visited Saddleworth Church. To learn more about their descendants the Radcliffe’s. This family dates back to the 1600’s. Donating (in part or fully) towards to the cost of windows, chairs and an oak table. This table, surprisingly turned out to be what the congregation refer to as the Altar.
An inscription can be found at the front, and the item is listed in the Parish Register 1751 to 1800. A book written by John Radcliffe.
The Table carved of dark oak with Alpha I.H.S., Omega. Inscription: The gift of John Radcliffe and his sisters, Mary Radcliffe and Sarah Digby, 1881.
The Greek letters Alpha and Omega, are often used as a Christian visual symbol. To illustrate the belief that God encompasses all things, from the beginning to the end.
Another symbol of Christianity are the monogrammed letters “IHS” denoting the first three letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus, ΙΗΣΟΥΣ.
Historic Saddleworth Church 