Helsington Church & Heaven’s Mystery

St John’s, Helsington, near Kendal, is a plain-looking church. Without, little commends it, though it enjoys stunning views of the nearby valley, in which the rivers Gilpin and Pool converge. Inside, however, one is struck by a giant mural painted onto the chancel wall. It depicts kneeling angels, dignified and sombre, facing the east window. Painted as a war memorial in 1919 by Marion Saumarez, the contemporary hairstyles and all-too-realistic features suggest the angels’ grief was also all-too-real. Just how many women of this parish the Great War rendered widows, orphans and childless, I cannot tell. The beautifully evocative background, to which none of them gives attention, resembles Tolkien’s Middle Earth, though it’s really based on the enchanting view just a few yards outside. No, the landscape is of no interest to them, though it enchants well enough the casual visitor. Rather, the angels are bowed in worship, or are beholding the scene in the window’s stained glass. There shown is Christ upon the cross, flanked by John and His mother, two more grieving, heart-broken mourners. 

This mural expresses to me one of the mysteries of heaven for which I remain unable to offer satisfactory answer. Despite the grandeur of the place, the splendour of the angels, the beauty of the music and the company of every Christian the world has ever known….how will I be able to avert my eyes from the crucified King?

And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face…

Rev 22:3-4a.