Fountains Abbey - 10

Fountains Abbey is such a beautiful place!



Refrain

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

Refrain

[Most hymnals omit the following verse]

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

Refrain

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

Refrain

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

Refrain

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Refrain

Fountains Abbey - 9

I tried to get a photo of either St Peter or St Paul for the blog today - but this is the best I could do. Never mind!



As ever, I am biassed in my choice between the two great Apostles.

Forsaken once, and thrice denied,
The risen Lord gave pardon free,
Stood once again at Peter’s side,
And asked him, “Lov’st thou Me?”

How many times with faithless word
Have we denied His holy Name,
How oft forsaken our dear Lord,
And shrunk when trial came?

Saint Peter, when the cock crew clear,
Went out, and wept his broken faith;
Strong as a rock through strife and fear,
He served his Lord till death.

How oft his cowardice of heart
We have without his love sincere,
The sin without the sorrow’s smart,
The shame without the tear!

O oft forsaken, oft denied,
Forgive our shame, wash out our sin;
Look on us from Thy Father’s side
And let that sweet look win.

Hear when we call Thee from the deep,
Still walk beside us on the shore,
Give hands to work, and eyes to weep,
And hearts to love Thee more.

Happy Feast!

Fountains Abbey - 8

As we gaze on this lovely sight, let's sing a hymn of praise!



When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When you begin the day, O never fail to say,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
And at your work rejoice, to sing with heart and voice,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Whene’er the sweet church bell peals over hill and dell,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
O hark to what it sings, as joyously it rings,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

My tongue shall never tire of chanting with the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
This song of sacred joy, it never seems to cloy,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

To God, the Word, on high, the host of angels cry,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let mortals, too, upraise their voice in hymns of praise,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this at meals your grace, in every time and place;
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Be this, when day is past, of all your thoughts the last
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When mirth for music longs, this is my song of songs:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evening shadows fall, this rings my curfew call,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

When sleep her balm denies, my silent spirit sighs,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
When evil thoughts molest, with this I shield my breast,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

The night becomes as day when from the heart we say:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
The powers of darkness fear when this sweet chant they hear:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

No lovelier antiphon in all high Heav’n is known
Than, Jesus Christ be praised!
There to the eternal Word the eternal psalm is heard:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Let all the earth around ring joyous with the sound:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
In Heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this:
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Sing, suns and stars of space, sing, ye that see His face,
Sing, Jesus Christ be praised!
God’s whole creation o’er, for aye and evermore
Shall Jesus Christ be praised!

In Heav’n’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Let earth, and sea and sky from depth to height reply,
May Jesus Christ be praised!

Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine:
May Jesus Christ be praised!
Sing this eternal song through all the ages long:
May Jesus Christ be praised!



What a pity they left out so many verses.

Fountains Abbey - 7

The location of the abbey church is quite amazing. From this view point the mighty tower looks very squat! We must not hide our faith!



We have a gospel to proclaim
Good news for men in all the earth;
The gospel of a Saviour’s name:
We sing His glory, tell His worth.

Tell of His birth at Bethlehem,
Not in a royal house or hall
But in a stable dark and dim:
The Word made flesh, a light for all.

Tell of His death at Calvary,
Hated by those He came to save;
In lonely suffering on the cross
For all He loved His life He gave.

Tell of that glorious Easter morn:
Empty the tomb, for He was free.
He broke the power of death and hell
That we might share His victory.

Tell of His reign at God’s right hand,
By all creation glorified;
He sends His Spirit on His Church
To live for Him, the Lamb who died.

Now we rejoice to name Him King:
Jesus is Lord of all the earth.
This gospel message we proclaim:
We sing His glory, tell His worth.


Emmanuel Ecumenical Church, Salford: We have a... by ChrisLawtonOrganist

One of my favourite hymns!

Corpus Christi

Here we see the west door of the Abbey Church. The monks and lay brothers approached the church through their own entrances. We do not know how many important guests were received at the West Door. Of course, the most important Guest to enter the Abbey Church was Our Lord, hidden under forms of bread and wine. It was the Risen Lord, brought present at the altar and reserved in the tabernacle to whom the worshippers gave their adoration and praise. We add our voices to theirs on this joyful feast.



Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour,
first-begotten from the dead.
Thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people's head.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!

Here our humblest homage pay we,
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith's discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou art here, we ask not how.

Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.

Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished
once for all when thou was slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.

Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!



Happy Feast!

Fountains Abbey - 6

Here is another view of the majestic tower.



A dispute and riot at St Mary's Abbey in York led to the founding of Fountains Abbey in 1132. After pleading unsuccessfully to return to the early 6th century Rule of St Benedict, 13 monks were exiled and taken into the protection of Thurstan, Archbishop of York.

He provided them with a site in the valley of the little River Skell in which they could found a new, more devout monastery. Although described as a place "more fit for wild beasts than men to inhabit" it had all the essential materials for the creation of a monastery: shelter from the weather, stone and timber for building, and plenty of water.

Within three years, the little settlement at Fountains had been admitted to the austere Cistercian Order (founded in France in 1098). Under its rules they lived a rigorous daily life, committed to long periods of silence, a diet barely above subsistence level, and wore the regulation habit of coarse undyed sheep's wool (underwear was forbidden), which earned them the name "White Monks."

One of the Abbey's most important developments was the introduction of the Cistercian system of lay brothers. They were usually illiterate and relieved the monks from routine jobs, giving them more opportunity to dedicate their time to God.

Many served as masons, tanners, shoemakers and smiths, but their chief role was to look after the Abbey's vast flocks of sheep, which lived on the huge estate stretching westwards from Fountains to the Lake District and northwards to Teesside.

Without the lay brothers, Fountains could never have attained its great wealth or economic importance.

Fountains Abbey - 5

What a glorious picture for Midsummer Day!



Hail, harbinger of morn:
thou that art this day born,
and heraldest the Word with clarion voice!
Ye faithful ones, in him
behold the dawning dim
of the bright day, and let your hearts rejoice.

John--by that chosen name
to call him, Gabriel came
by God's appointment from his home on high:
what deeds that babe should do
to manhood when he grew,
God sent his Angel forth to testify.

There is none greater, none,
than Zechariah's son;
than this no mightier prophet hath been born:
of prophets he may claim
more than a prophet's fame;
sublimer deeds than theirs his brow adorn.

"Lo, to prepare thy way,"
did God the Father say,
"Before thy face my messenger I send,
thy coming to forerun;
as on the orient sun
doth the bright daystar morn by morn attend."

Praise therefore God most high;
praise him who came to die
for us, his Son that liveth evermore;
and to the Spirit raise,
the Comforter, like praise,
while time endureth, and when time is o'er.

Happy Feast!

Fountains Abbey - 4

The Abbey Church must have been a fantastic place for a festal procession!



Rejoice ye pure in heart;
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Refrain

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice,
Give thanks and sing.

Bright youth and snow crowned age,
Strong men and maidens meek,
Raise high your free, exultant song,
God’s wondrous praises speak.

Refrain

Yes onward, onward still
With hymn, and chant and song,
Through gate, and porch and columned aisle,
The hallowed pathways throng.

Refrain

With all the angel choirs,
With all the saints of earth,
Pour out the strains of joy and bliss,
True rapture, noblest mirth.

Refrain

Your clear hosannas raise;
And alleluias loud;
Whilst answering echoes upward float,
Like wreaths of incense cloud.

Refrain

With voice as full and strong
As ocean’s surging praise,
Send forth the hymns our fathers loved,
The psalms of ancient days.

Refrain

Yes, on through life’s long path,
Still chanting as ye go;
From youth to age, by night and day,
In gladness and in woe.

Refrain

Still lift your standard high,
Still march in firm array,
As warriors through the darkness toil,
Till dawns the golden day.

Refrain

At last the march shall end;
The wearied ones shall rest;
The pilgrims find their heavenly home,
Jerusalem the blessed.

Refrain

Then on, ye pure in heart!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing!
Your glorious banner wave on high,
The cross of Christ your King.

Refrain

Praise Him Who reigns on high,
The Lord Whom we adore,
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
One God forevermore.

Refrain

Fountains Abbey - 3

Amazingly the cellarium roof has remained intact and the lay brothers ate, slept and socialised here, beneath the incredible vaulted ceiling which escaped Henry VIII’s brutal sixteenth century dissolution of the abbeys.

Today the inhabitants are protected species of bat who live in the ceiling nooks and only come out after dusk. It is estimated there are over eight species of bats living in the cellarium.



Once used for meditation and exercise by the monks the cloisters formed the centre of the abbey and many rooms lead off from this area, including the warming room where you can still see the huge fireplace where a fire was always kept roaring.

Above the warming room up the external staircase to the left, is the muniments room where the monks kept all their important documents, it made sense to keep them above the warming room so the documents stayed dry in all seasons. The floor tiles in this room have just been refurbished and the room has recently been opened to visitors.

Fountains Abbey - 2

The setting of Fountains Abbey is truly glorious.



The dramatic Abbey ruins at Fountains are the largest monastic ruins in the country.

Set in the naturally beautiful Skell valley, flanked by two vast expanses of lawned grass with awe inspiring cliff faces to either side and the river Skell running through the valley and under The Abbey - which in itself is a masterpiece of twelfth century building ingenuity - this truly is a beautiful place to visit.

Soak up the spiritual atmosphere, lose yourself in the passages, staircases and towers or marvel at this unique relic of ancient architectural craftsmanship.

Fountains Abbey - 1

A World Heritage Site, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal is a huge estate of beauty, contrasts and surprises including the largest abbey ruins in the country and one of England’s most spectacular Georgian water gardens.



The perfect place to escape from it all and enjoy a great, full day out, there’s so much to see and do at Fountains. Set your own pace to explore over 800 acres of naturally beautiful countryside, with ten historic buildings to discover spanning 800 years of history and acre after acre of open space.

Fountains Abbey is just 4 miles from Ripon.

Trinity Sunday

On this Trinity Sunday, we have a lovely statue of the Risen Lord, the Second-Person of the Blessed Trinity, as seen above the high altar of Ripon Cathedral.



Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!



Tomorrow we start a tour of Fountains Abbey - not far from Ripon.

Happy Sunday!

Ripon Cathedral - 6

Here is a splendid view of the high altar and main sanctuary of the Cathedral.



On Sundays, the pattern of services is as follows. The 8am Eucharist is a said service using traditional language based on the Book of Common Prayer. A sermon is preached.

Morning Prayer, or Mattins, takes place at 9.30am. Usually this is a simple said service, following the Book of Common Prayer. Approximately once a month, on the first Sunday, the Choir sing the traditional service of Choral Mattins. Details can be found in the Music List.

The principal Sunday Service is the Sung Eucharist at 10.30am. Usually this is sung by the Cathedral Choir, or during the holidays by a visiting choir. On the first Sunday of the month, the Cathedral Music Group usually lead the service, which typically has a more informal style.

At 12.30 there is a celebration of Holy Communion according to the rite of the Book of Common Prayer.

Evensong at 5.30pm completes the day. A sermon is preached at Evensong on a Sunday.

Ripon Cathedral - 5

Here we have a lovely view of the Cathedral from a nearby residential area.



The city of Ripon is located in North Yorkshire on the River Ure. Ripon is a beautiful market town that was founded over 1300 years ago, and is famous as an old Cathedral City where monasteries have stood since the 7th Century.

The old city of Ripon is filled with shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs, and also boasts many historical buildings and museums, including Ripon Cathedral, the Wakeman’s House, Studley Royal, Fountains Abbey and Ripon Spa Gardens where a Victorian bandstand is set.

A market is held every Thursday on the Ripon market square next to its 300 year old Obelisk, where the Hornblower will sound his horn at 9 o’clock every night.

Ripon is wonderfully located in the heart of the countryside, so there’s always plenty to do. Whether it’s a leisurely walk along the canal or through the Dales, a day at the museums or a night out on the tiles, Ripon has everything you could ever want right on its doorstep.

Ripon Cathedral - 4

Here we have a view of the south west side of the Cathedral.



There are many functions fulfilled by a cathedral. The key one is its function as the bishop's "seat", or cathedra.

A Cathedral is a church that is designated to serve as the central church for its Diocese (a geographic and administrative affiliation of churches).

The Diocese is headed by the Bishop, and the Cathedral is the church in which he is centred. The Cathedral itself is under the pastoral care of priests known as Canons, headed by the Cathedral’s Dean, who serves as the Bishop’s representative.

Ripon Cathedral - 3

Here we have a fine view of the east end of the Cathedral with the flag of St George waving in the breeze.



Much of the church you see today dates from the 12th century, though most of the nave was substantially rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries.

For this reason, the building contains a variety of architectural styles. Thus the splendid Early English west front dates from the early 13th century, while the transepts (the ‘arms’ of a cruciform church) – combining rounded Norman with pointed Gothic arches – are an interesting example of the late 12th century Transitional style.

Ripon Cathedral - 2

Here we see the lovely west front of the Cathedral - simple and dignified.



Ripon Cathedral has a history stretching back almost fourteen centuries. Throughout this time it has offered an unbroken tradition of witness to the Christian faith, both in the city of Ripon and across North Yorkshire. The present church was founded by Saint Wilfrid and dedicated in 672, although it has been rebuilt several times since. The ancient Saxon crypt – one of the oldest in the country – is the only part of Wilfrid’s original church that remains to this day.

Ripon Cathedral - 1

I recently paid my first visit to Ripon for almost 40 years. I was born in Leeds, and so we were in the Diocese of Ripon. As a boy I made a number of visits to the Cathedral. What surprised me, was how little things had changed since the early 1970s.



Here we see the main market square, with one of the towers of the Cathedral in the background. The main feature of this photo is the Town Hall with wording from Psalm 127 - Except the Lord keep the city : the watchman waketh but in vain.



Every evening an official leaves the entrance of the Town Hall and sounds a horn to assure people that all is well, and that it is time to retire for the night. What a lovely custom!

Easter Hymn - 6

Today - the Day of Pentecost, is the fiftieth (and last) day of the Easter Season.



For our Pentecost Hymn (Veni, Creator Spiritus) we go to the Latin Mass at St Andrew's Church in Edinburgh. Below are some well-known words in English - which are based on this Latin hymn.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
and lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above
is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
the dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face
with the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far from foes, give peace at home:
where thou art guide, no ill can come.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,
and thee, of both, to be but One,
that through the ages all along,
this may be our endless song:

Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.



Happy Feast!

Highland Folk Museum - 36

The centre of most dwellings is the hearth for the turf (peat) fire. This is used for cooking and heating and is a focal point for the family members during the long winter nights.



The largest of the Baile Gean domestic structures erected at the Folk Museum is the Tacksman's House - and in the photo below, we see the very gentleman himself! He is shielding his eyes from the flash of my camera.

The Taskman's House comprises seven cruck frames to create six internal; plus two end bays. This heather thatched house is the principal tenant's house. Usually the tacksman negotiated, collected and paid the rent as well as liaised on behalf of the other township inhabitants with the local laird, their landlord. The size of the taskman's dwelling equates with his community status and possible better wealth.



This concludes our visit to the Highland Folk Museum. On Monday we are off down south (to England!) to have a look at Ripon Cathedral.

Highland Folk Museum - 35

Here we see inside The Weaver's House.



This two chamber, turf walled and thatched with local Insh Marsh reed dwelling is interpreted as a weaver's house because it has now byre. It is highly likely that the weaver created, traded and sold his cloth for food and other goods, rather than raise cattle and crops for his living.

The living chamber, like the other dwellings has an open hearth for heat and cooking. In this house there is a bed platform of turves with a central partition and storage loft above. On such a platform, straw filled mattresses and blankets, perhaps from the weavers own loom, might have been laid on a layer of soft heather for the night.

Highland Folk Museum - 34

Here we have a splendid view of the Baile Gean Township.



Survey of the Raitts site has revealed over thirty main structures. These include dwellings both with and without integral byres (cattle bays), barns, corn drying 'kiln barns', enclosures including possibly some for the overnight housing of cattle being driven south, and the 'head dyke', a wall of alternating layers of turf and stone that defined the township boundary.

As a generalisation, most domestic building doorways faced south to maximise the heat and light from the sun. Some buildings had no windows and smoke from a central hearth escaped through an opening in the roof.

Highland Folk Museum - 33

We have now stepped back to the early 1700s.



We are in the 'Baile Gean' Township. This is based on the original larger Badenoch settlement of Easter Raitts, situated high up the Spey Valley above the current hamlet of Lynchat. Raitts, the principal settlement prior to the 1790s 'planned town' of Kingussie, was on a pack horse and drove route that crossed the River Spey to the equivalent township of Ruthven on the south side.

Highland Folk Museum - 32

Here we see the Curling Lake in the Museum grounds, located in a pinewood.



Curling is a winter ice sport. It was well-established in Scotland by the 16th century, and today forms part of the Winter Olympics. On the ice, teams slid or 'delivered' their curling stones, made of turned granite rock, from the 'hack' along the 50 yards long rink towards the concentric circles of the 'house'. The competition was to get the closest to the target, often a turned wooden 'bottle' at the house's centre.

Highland Folk Museum - 31

Here we see The Joiners Workshop.



Records date this traditional two-story joiners workshop from King Street, Kingussie, to 1904 - when Donald Fraser first paid £5 annual rent. Trading as 'D.Fraser & Co. Joiners and Cabinetmakers', he undertook all forms of woodwork from building parts to cart repairs and coffins. The business was taken over a number of times, and work finally ceased in 1996.

The Museum have relocated the main building and re-crerated the machine shop for the 1930s. The workshop benches, some tools and many other items are from Fraser's time.

Easter Hymn - 5

At the Lamb's high feast we sing
praise to our victorious King,
who hath washed us in the tide
flowing from his pierced side;
praise we him, whose love divine
gives his sacred Blood for wine,
gives his Body for the feast,
Christ the victim, Christ the priest.

Where the Paschal blood is poured,
death's dark angel sheathes his sword;
Israel's hosts triumphant go
through the wave that drowns the foe.
Praise we Christ, whose blood was shed,
Paschal victim, Paschal bread;
with sincerity and love
eat we manna from above.

Mighty victim from on high,
hell's fierce powers beneath thee lie;
thou hast conquered in the fight,
thou hast brought us life and light:
now no more can death appall,
now no more the grave entrall;
thou hast opened paradise,
and in thee thy saints shall rise.

Easter triumph, Easter joy,
sin alone can this destroy;
from sin's power do thou set free
souls newborn, O Lord, in thee.
Hymns of glory and of praise,
Risen Lord, to thee we raise;
Holy Father, praise to thee,
with the Spirit, ever be.



Happy Sunday!

Highland Folk Museum - 30

We are now standing inside MacPherson's Tailors Shop.



During the 1940s, Donald closed the shop and went to work for Shannon's of Greenock. After that, the building became a sheep shelter and latterly a store. The Museum have recreated the shop and the work room for the late 1930s with replicated fittings.

Below is a photo of the workroom.

Highland Folk Museum - 29

We are now standing outside MacPherson's Tailor's Shop.



From Newtonmore, this small 'Shop and Workroom' was constructed by builder, Alexander McPherson, for his son Donald on his return, wounded, after World War I. Donald was a ladies and gentlemen's high-class tailor and outfitter. He was proud of his work, and promised prompt and personal attention to all orders.

Highland Folk Museum - 28

Here we see a lovely rainbow over the Folk Museum - a fitting image for Ascension Day!



It would have been nice to feature Leanach Church for our Ascension Day hymn - but to be honest, the harmonium was rarely played, and the usual music was 'presented' Gaelic psalms which are commonly associated with the Free Church. We must therefore turn to a Catholic Church in America for our video recording.

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluia!
to his throne above the skies; Alleluia!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluia!
enters now the highest heaven! Alleluia!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluia!
lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluia!
he hath conquered death and sin; Alleluia!
take the King of glory in! Alleluia!

Lo! the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluia!
yet he loves the earth he leaves; Alleluia!
though returning to his throne, Alleluia!
still he calls mankind his own. Alleluia!

See! he lifts his hands above; Alleluia!
See! he shows the prints of love: Alleluia!
Hark! his gracious lips bestow, Alleluia!
blessings on his Church below. Alleluia!

Still for us he intercedes, Alleluia!
his prevailing death he pleads, Alleluia!
near himself prepares our place, Alleluia!
he the first fruits of our race. Alleluia!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluia!
far above the starry height, Alleluia!
grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluia!
seeking thee above the skies. Alleluia!

There we shall with thee remain, Alleluia!
partners of thy eternal reign, Alleluia!
there thy face forever see, Alleluia!
find our heaven of heavens in thee, Alleluia!



Happy Feast!

Highland Folk Museum - 27

The main body of the Kirk measures 43 feet by 21 feet and the pulpit 7 feet by 6 feet. Originally there was a hall heating stove and light was by oil lamp.

The harmonium (a reed organ by Mason and Hamlin) and the communion table are both original.