The sanctuary forms the focal point of the entire church and provides the scene for the principal liturgical events of the Church’s year. The walls of the apse are covered with panels of red African onyx, alternating with bands of old convent Siena marble. The four panels on each side of the side-walls are of a rare green Mexican onyx and the marble bands in which they are set are of Siena marble.
The high altar is based on the famous Certosa at Pavia and the tabernacle, circular and surmounted by a dome supported by metal gilt columns, is based on that in S. Peter’s in Rome. The altar front consists of panels of Connemara marble and plaques of lapis lazuli.
The baldacchino was made in Rome by Ernesto Sensi, who also made the organ-case, the best candlesticks, the frame of S. Philip’s picture and the relic case. The choir stalls are of Italian walnut, carved at Trowbridge.
The motto behind the High Altar from Isaiah Domus mea Domus Orationis vocabitur means ‘My House shall be called a House of Prayer’.
The mosaics form the climax of the whole series and represent the coronation of our Lady, flanked by S. John the Baptist and S. John the Evangelist, the patron saints of John Henry Newman. The ceiling, more ornately decorated than that of the Nave, depicts Eucharistic texts and motifs from Scripture.
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