Altar Superfrontals
Welcome to our collection of Altar Superfrontals — finely crafted altar linens designed to add dignity, reverence and beauty to your church sanctuary, emphasizing the purpose of enhancing the liturgical setting. An altar superfrontal is the decorative panel that hangs above and along the top of the altar, covering the top of the altar’s front face and visually complementing or replacing a full altar frontal. It is the superfrontal that marks the uppermost part of the altar, and its placement at the top of the altar is essential in the church’s liturgical arrangement. Superfrontals can be secured as with rod pockets or magnets as means of attachment, ensuring they remain in place during services.
Each piece in our range is made from premium quality ecclesiastical fabrics, with choices often including rich damask, velvet or high-grade brocade, and adorned with intricate embroidery, appliqué, decorative fringe, gimp or tassels. The fabric or decorative elements may extend or be secured at the back of the altar or superfrontal, but fringe can be challenging to source today, as it is often not available in most vestment houses. Superfrontals can serve as versatile and functional elements in the church, adapting to various liturgical settings and altar designs.
Our superfrontals have features such as fringe or pockets for rods, and in the church, they are placed in the correct position to ensure proper coverage and visual harmony. A notable feature is the use of fringe, which is the hallmark of many historical superfrontals. It is important to note that altar superfrontals are decorative panels that hang along the front of the altar, and it is their symbolic and practical function that enhances the liturgical atmosphere. Securing methods, such as rod pockets or magnets, are common means to keep the superfrontal in place.
Many have noticed that some superfrontals lack traditional rod pockets and instead use magnets—perhaps because fringe or other materials are difficult to find. The purpose of the altar superfrontal is to visually elevate the altar, marking the solemnity of the celebration and reflecting the style and tradition of the church. The style of each superfrontal is defined by the choice of fabric, embroidery, and finishing details, and it can take time and care to select or create a piece that fits the top of the altar perfectly. Then, when properly secured, they remain in place throughout the liturgy. This attention to detail ensures that the superfrontal covers the top of the altar without excessive overhang, with a standard drop of about 15–33 cm. A well-constructed superfrontal may include a cavity or space to place magnets, ensuring a secure fit, while the process of making or choosing a superfrontal can require significant time and consideration, especially when balancing other church activities.
Our superfrontals are available in a variety of liturgical colours — green, purple, white, red, gold, rose — each corresponding to the appropriate liturgical season or feast day. The choice of colour should align with the liturgical season, as this helps the faithful visually recognize the character of the celebration. The altar, in Catholic theology, symbolizes Christ, and the use of solemn fabrics and superfrontals symbolizes the vestments of Christ, elevating the significance of the Eucharist.
When selecting an altar superfrontal, consider the size of your altar (to ensure proper width), the material that best suits your church’s interior, and the liturgical season for which the piece will be used. Superfrontals may be integrated with the altar cloth or serve as a separate decorative element, and their design often features Christian motifs in embroidery or appliqué. Superfrontals can be made as embroidered, which are the most solemn and richly decorated, or as appliquéd, where patterns are created by sewing other fabrics onto the base material.
Whether for regular Mass, high feasts or solemn celebrations, our Altar Superfrontals combine tradition, artistry, and liturgical symbolism — turning your altar into a worthy focal point of worship.
Properties and Uses of Altar Frontals Altar frontals are decorative elements placed on the front of an altar, typically made of fabric, stone, or wood, although the latter is less common. Each altar frontal serves a decorative purpose, emphasizing the importance of the altar and giving it a unique character during the liturgy. The frontal is often richly decorated, and its design and colors can be adapted to the style of the church interior and the specific liturgical season. A superfrontal is a special type of altar frontal, designed to cover the upper part of the altar front, often with an elegant overhang on the sides. This piece of fabric is placed above the altar and can be adorned with embroidery, appliqués, or other decorative details that emphasize the solemnity of the place of worship. The properties of altar frontals include their durability, adaptability to various architectural styles, and a wide selection of materials and designs. Each piece can be made of high-quality fabric, stone, or wood, allowing for the creation of a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing altar front decoration. Altar frontals are not only decorative elements but also important liturgical symbols that can be used during various religious ceremonies and holidays. The application of altar frontals is very broad – they can be used in both large churches and smaller chapels or other places of worship. The frontal adds an element of tradition and beauty to the sacred space, while also allowing for individual adaptation to the needs of a given community. Thanks to the variety of materials and designs, altar frontals can be used as altar decoration, a liturgical element, or a way to highlight the uniqueness of the altar front on special occasions.
