Leaving the Choir Vestry by the same door and turning right, we pass along the front of the Nave. On the right, we see the Stone Reading Desk or Lectern, is the gift of the Church of Good Shepherd, Lutong, Miri. It is made of Hong Kong granite and is lesser brother to the great Stone Drum Pulpit on the opposite side of the Chancel. This latter is the gift of one of the large banks that function within the Diocese.
The marble reading desk of it bears the text “We preach Christ Crucified”
BELL TOWER
Passing in front of it we come to the North Door, just to the left of it is a small door leading to the tower. Above this door is a plaque recording that the Chime of Bells were presented by the oil companies operating within the Diocese. The bells were cast at the famous Taylor Bell Foundry at Loughborough in England and form a chime of eight.
The Cathedral bells are very “small fry”. The largest weighs just over half a ton and the smallest is 1 cwt. They were installed in the Tower at a height of just over 60 feet and are operated by hand notes from chime rack or clavier which is situated on the first floor of the tower. It is interesting to note that a chime of 8 bells allows the ringers to peal a change of 5,014 variations of melody.
On their arrival from England in 1956, the bells were placed in the chancel of the old Cathedral and were blessed and named on February 19th. The giving of the names to bells goes far back into history. Oscar (the deep toned bell), Peter, Michael, Ambrose, Alfred, Arnold, James and Edmund were names given. The names of the eight Deacons who had been ordained in 1955 to proclaim the message engraved on the largest bell – “Tell it out among the heathen that the Lord is King.” In the names of the bells, we find the three major races among whom the Mission has done work – Iban, Bidayuh and Chinese. As the Bishop written, “Like the bells, they are all sprung from one source, the one foundry, the one Father, like the bells they were created to live in community together: like the bells their function is to work together in harmony.”
LADY CHAPEL
On the right of the North Door is the entrance to the Lady Chapel. The blues and other tints of frontal, floor, walls and altar rail make this small chapel a delight. The Altar is made of Hong Kong granite with a marble top incised with consecration crosses. It is used for the Daily Celebrations of the Holy Eucharist and the Daily Offices are said in the Chapel.
Aumbry
Built into the wall above the centre of the Altar is the Aumbry given by his son in memory of Father Kong Kui En who gave many years of faithful service to the Diocese. The altar cross is represented in the rich chasing of the burnished bronze door of the Aumbry.
The candlesticks were specially designed by London craftsmen and are made of rhodium. They are the loving gift of five Chinese “sons” of Bishop Hollis.
The Chapel Sanctuary Lamp was given in memory of a Gloucestershire priest whose family had close connections with Bishop Nigel Cornwall. Its white light signifies that the Blessed Sacrament is perpetually reserved in the Aumbry. Though the Chapel is small, it is so designed as to give a sense of quietness and detachment from the Cathedral proper. It is dedicated in particular memory of the Annunciation of our Lady. The Chapel is the gift of Yap Ghee Heng as a thanks offering.