Welcome to St Mary Magdalene

This Web page contains the english language version of the small guide leaflet which is available to visitors to the church. Through the generosity of a number of international visitors and friends in providing the translations, additional versions are currently available in French, German, Greek, Japanese and Armenian, with a Spanish version to become available soon.

Because of the international interest in the 6th Lord Byron and his daughter Ada Lovelace, we would like to greet all our visitors with a leaflet in their own language. If you feel able to provide a translation into any other language please contact_me.

THE PORCH (1)

This was built about 1320 and was originally gated - the bolt hole can still be seen in the woodwork. The large wooden door dates from the same time. They were moved to their present position when the south aisle was added in 1872.

THE VISITOR CENTRE

Built in 1888 as a baptistry to house the medieval Font, this area was converted to a visitor centre in June 1999. The display panels (2) show some of the people of the present and the past linked with this Church and the town of Hucknall.

In the window to the left (4) are fragments of medieval stained glass. In the display case are artefacts found during excavations in 1938.

SOUTH AISLE

Built in 1872. The first window (5) shows the healing of the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple (Acts 3;1-10). The second (6) depicts the appearance of the Risen Jesus to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee (John 21;15-19).

SOUTH TRANSEPT

Built in 1888. The window on the right (7) shows Abraham preparing to offer his son Isaac in sacrifice (Genesis 22;1-14) and the second, (8) Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21;4-9).

The great "Atonement" window (9) shows scenes from the Passion of Jesus - the mocking, the scourging, Pilate washing his hands, the Last Supper, Gethsemane and the Crucifixion itself. Above are the instruments of the Passion - crown of thorns and nails, whips, and spear and sponge on a stick.

Either side of the window are further Byron mementoes and lower down on the right, coffin lids found in 1888.

In the south-east window (10) the Risen Christ, our "refuge and strength" (Psalm 46;1), welcomes all who come to him. The middle window (11) shows Jesus being tempted by the devil while the window (12) by the organ is the only main window NOT by Kempe. It portrays - left to right - St Peter, St John and St James the Great.

The Organ, an Allen MDS 38 electronic instrument was bought new in November 1992.

The refreshments area at the end of the South Transept, completed early 1995, incorporates an adaptable seating area, a kitchen, and a toilet which has facilities for the disabled.

THE CHANCEL

The chancel was re-built here in 1888, when the choir stalls were introduced.

The inscribed marble tablet (14) is almost above the Byron family vault where the poet, the 6th Lord Byron, is buried with his ancestors. His daughter Augusta Ada, Countess of Lovelace, who created the first computer program in 1843 (102 years before the first working electronic computer), is the last family member buried in the vault.

The window (15) portrays St Paul and St Stephen.

The memorials on the south wall (16) are to the poet Byron, erected by his half sister, and the poet's daughter, Augusta Ada.

The medieval Sedilia and Piscina (17) were re-built here when the Chancel was moved. The window above portrays Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and her cousin Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.

The lovely east window (18) shows, at the top, Christ reigning in majesty, in the centre, the crucifixion, and below that, the deposition from the cross. Either side are resurrection appearances - the bottom left shows the angel with the women at the tomb, bottom right, Jesus meets Mary Magdalene in the garden; above, he appears to the disciples in the Upper Room; left of the crucifixion, Jesus breaks bread with the disciples of Emmaus. (One of the disciples looks remarkably like Byron).

In the north east corner (19) is the interesting memorial to Richard, 2nd Lord Byron.

THE LADY CHAPEL

Pass through the screen into the Lady Chapel, re-built here in 1888. Until 1920 this was the organ chamber and vestry. Now, our daily worship takes place here and here the Blessed Sacrament is Reserved. Pause - and pray - and perhaps light a candle.

The windows here are not by Kempe, but are simple and lovely. The east window (20) contains symbols of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as does the reredos below, which shows the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary.

In the north-east corner, (21) engraved on marble tablets, are the tributes of eminent Victorians to the genius of Byron.

The window (22) shows the crests of the regiments in which served the two young men in whose memory the window was given, while the War Memorial (23) lists the names of all parishioners who gave their lives in the First World War. A book in the case below lists those who likewise died in the Second World War. The window (24) was given by the Boys Brigade in memory of their fallen comrades and shows Agnus Dei, symbol of the Risen Jesus, and the Pelican feeding its young, a symbol of Jesus feeding his people in the Eucharist.

NORTH TRANSEPT

Built in 1888 this is now largely occupied by the vestry, the pulpit (13) of 1906 is beautifully carved.

The window in the north-east corner (25) shows the child Jesus with the Doctors of the Law in the Temple. (The rest of the window, along with the neighbouring one, was destroyed by fire in 1973). The great "Incarnation" window (26) depicts various scenes from the birth of Jesus. The top portion has the shepherds and the angels worshipping the Infant Jesus. In the centre portion, to the left, Gabriel appears to Mary, while to the right the Kings worship the Infant. (Notice the King doffing his crown!). In the lower section the angels appear to the shepherds. In the window in the north-west corner (27) John the Baptist, in the centre, points to Jesus, top left, as "the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1;29). Next to it the window (28) is an allegorical interpretation of the three great Christian virtues, Faith, Hope and Love, of 1 Corinthians 13.

The memorials (29) have a link with Byron, as the Ann Jackson referred to was almost accidentally shot by him when he lived at Southwell. He refers to her in his "Lines addressed to a Young Lady".

NORTH AISLE

As you move into the north aisle notice the chest (30), the lid of which is Elizabethan and was originally made to contain the parish records. Notice also the medieval carved face (31) at the bottom of the arch.

This aisle is Early English in style and was probably built in the 13th century.

The two windows (32 andd 33) and the mosaic between them depict the joy of the angels in the creation, while the mosaic by the choir vestry shows the Prodigal Son returning to his Father.

THE TOWER AND TOWER ARCH

This is the oldest part of the church, probably 12th century. The arch was originally Norman - semicircular - in style, but later altered, perhaps to match the north aisle arches.

Notice the 18th century Byron hatchment (35), and the window, (34) depicting the presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple, where the west door used to be.

The Tower contains a ring of eight bells, plus the angelus bell which came from Newstead Abbey at the dissolution of the monasteries. The clock was the gift of the Duke of Portland in 1884.

THE CHURCHYARD

In the churchyard, near the north transept, is the cenotaph of Ben Caunt, Boxing Champion of England, 1841 - 45, after whom the bell "Big Ben" in the House of Parliament is named.

We hope you have enjoyed your visit to the church. It is not a museum, but an active, developing centre of living worship. For the Christian Church is a living community built on "sure foundation" - Jesus Christ himself. He is the only enduring foundation on which to contruct our lives. May you know his peace and joy in your life, and may his blessing rest upon you.