FOR generations, people attending ser vices at St John’s Church, Ludlow, may have been aware of an aspect of the interior which, even on dull days, gives a glow to the atmosphere.

What they may not have known is that the superb reredos situated above and behind the altar is an exceptionally fine example.

“In religious terms, a reredos is a screen or decoration behind the altar in a church,” explained John Robson, a member of St John’s Church.

Mr Robson contacted the Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society when it was thought that the reredos could be of some importance nationally.

“Artistically, it was produced within the context of the Arts and Crafts movement, inspired by John Ruskin and practised by William Morris and his followers towards the end of the 19th century, as a reaction against the increasing dominance of machinemade artefacts and the loss of crafts skills.”

Charles Hardgrave, principal designer to the makers, James Powell and Sons of Whitefriars, designed its side panels.

The north side depicts Abraham, Isaac, Isaiah and John the Baptist.

The south side depicts St John, St Peter and St Paul. The centre panel is by E Penwarden and depicts Christ in glory, flanked by angels.

The reredos dates from the 1890s and would have been very costly at the time of production.

There is one ‘twin’ of the centre panel at Cannington near Bridgewater in Somerset, but the side panels are now unique because the other example was in the English Church in Dresden, which was destroyed during the Second World War.

Pure gold is incorporated into many of the surfaces and glows out from the design.

The rich colours were created by powdered glass and oxides being heated under pressure and producing sheets of opaque material about a quarter of an inch thick.

They have an eggshell finish and reflect the light in a vibrant manner.

The sheets were then cut, painted and fired again and the material fixed to a rigid backing, usually slate.

This work is known as “opus sectile”, meaning cut work, and required great skill as the pieces had to fit exactly first time.

“Opus sectile is no longer in production,”

John said. “There is probably no-one alive today who could do it.

“Expert opinion is that our reredos is ‘a fine example and must be preserved’.”

A leaflet by John Robson containing further information can be obtained from St John’s Church, Gravel Hill, Ludlow, where the reredos can be seen in all its beauty.