Ragstone riches

Today I had a meeting in Holy Trinity Church Rayleigh planning future events across the region. I've visited this church a few times now but never noticed these consecration crosses.

Consecration crosses are crosses on the walls of a church showing where the bishop has anointed the church with chrism or holy water in order to consecrate it. The crosses signify the sanctity of the church.

According to one recent visitor, commenting online about their visit to the church, "I found it soulless and dull ...". This wasn't my experience. There's a vibrant, faithful community here.

If only the walls could speak they would have stories to tell of 800 years of service, prayers, tears, rejoicing, sacrifice, commitment and faith. There would be stories of people and communities, births, marriages, deaths, communion and confirmation. There would be controversies, agreements and reconciliations. Quite a history embedded in simple rag stone rubble.