Symbolism Continues on the Outside of Senting the Passion and Death of Christ
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Passion imitates a Greek column. The octagonal design in the Outside font symbolizes resurrection. Also carved on the reredos are four shields, repre- The rich symbolism continues on the outside of senting the passion and death of Christ. the building with the pointed arches and the rose and Chairs leaf designs in the limestone. The large carved chair to the right of the altar is The first depicts an olive The magnificent statue of called the Bishop’s Throne. The design on it and on branch and a club, symbol- Christ facing Main Street is a the chair to the left of the altar izing the Garden of Gethse- replica of one in the Luther- St. Paul’s repeats the symbols in the altar mane (an olive grove), and an Cathedral in Copenhagen, and the reredos. United the club carried by Roman Denmark, created by Bartel Symbolism Carved on the back of the soldiers who came to arrest Thorvaldensen, a 19th centu- Methodist in the smaller chairs is the fleur de lis, Jesus. ry Danish sculptor. Church or flower of the lily. This sym- Sanctuary Dedicated to “the Glory of is The second is a crown bolizes purity, innocence, and God, Father, Son, and Holy of of thorns and three nails. heavenly bliss. It also stands for a cathedral Spirit,” it was presented to St. Paul’s in memory of The Roman soldiers placed the Holy Trinity. Edna Henderson Bowles and Robert Wilson Hender- for Houston St. Paul’s a crown of thorns on Jesus’ The chancel rail posts are son by Mrs. R.W. Henderson, Mrs. Joe Wessendorff, that United head, mocked him, and topped by fleur de lis. and Mrs. Fred Couper. nailed him to the cross with The pointed arches in the embodies Methodist three nails. carving on the chairs, the pulpit, History its diversity, and the stone archways in the Church, The third is a ladder, reed, St. Paul’s congregation was organized in 1905- inspires faith, nave symbolize aspiration and and sponge. On the cross, 1906. The first church building for the congregation and Houston striving for growth in spiritual when Jesus said, “I thirst,” a was downtown at Milam and McGowen Streets, life. leads change ladder was raised, and he was where they worshiped until 1927 when it was deter- for the common offered a sponge of wine and mined that further physical expansion was not feasi- gall, as a mild sedative. But Other Symbols ble. Ground was broken in April 1929 for the present good he refused it. church building at 5501 Main Street. For additional The four-leaf design in the of all peoples information, see the brochure “History of St. Paul’s.” glass above the doors and in and The fourth depicts a pin- Copies should be in the church information racks. cer and mallet. These were the wooden above the doors communities. used to remove the nails in the narthex symbolizes the Tours Four Gospels. from Christ’s body when the For more about the sanctuary, including the Among the many other cross was lowered. stained-glass windows, see the brochure “A Self-Guid- symbols in the woodwork and ed Tour of the Sanctuary of St. Paul’s United Method- the windows are the triangle, ist Church, Houston,” also in the information racks. trefoil, and circle. Group tours or guided tours during the week may be The triangle symbolizes the arranged by calling the church at 713-528-0527. Spires three persons of the Trinity. The acorns on the reredos spires represent life The trefoil, or three circles with centers removed, everlasting. ST. PAUL’S represents the equality, Location St. Paul’s is located at 5501 Main Street at Binz/ UNITED METHODIST eternity, and unity of the Bissonnet, across from the Museum of Fine Arts. Baptismal Font persons of the Trinity. CHURCH The marble baptismal Parking is free of charge in two lots across Fannin 5501 Main Street at Binz/ The circle symbolizes the font at the chancel was Street from the Sanctuary Building. The church is Bissonnet eternal existence of God, given by Dr. and Mrs. J. within a block of both Museum District MetroRail Houston, TX 77004 without beginning or end. Edward Hodge in memory stops. Please cross Fannin at the designated crosswalk. in the Museum District of an infant son who died 713-528-0527 Phone in 1909. It was brought Fountain The drinking fountain The information in this brochure is based on 713-528-7748 FAX from St. Paul’s first sanctu- in the narthex features a ce- www.stpaulshouston.org ary building at Milam and a compilation by the History and Education ramic frieze of two peacocks. McGowen. The peacock is symbolic of Committee of St. Paul’s Altar Guild. To echo the design of Traditional worship eternal life. The sketches are by Alicia J. Moore. that structure, the base is for contemporary people 10/15/18-200 Symbols have always played an important role in The main body of the church proper, between the In the center of the cross on the the Christian faith. In the first century, when Chris- west end and the chancel, is called the nave, from the panel behind the altar are the letters tians were often persecuted for their beliefs, symbols Latin word navis, meaning ship. In the early days, “X” and “P,” or Chi Rho in Greek. were used as a secret language. Symbols of the resur- the church was the ark or “ship of the Lord on which The first letters of “Christ” in that rection and of life everlasting helped maintain their Christians sailed the sea of life.” language, the Chi Rho is one of the morale. The original Phoenician temples were ships turned most ancient monographs used to In later times, the church’s teaching and worship upside down, hence the symbolic custom of Gothic remind us of Christ. inspired other symbols that served to bring people church ceilings resembling the hull of a ship. The The cross used in processionals closer to Christ. Symbols also were aids for those who ceiling in St. Paul’s is pecky cypress. at St. Paul’s is a Jerusalem Cross. could not read. One of the meanings of this cross Symbols remain an interesting and valuable sup- Chancel is that the large cross in the center plement to preaching and religious education. Today, Separated from the nave by represents the first Christian church they are used to indicate pictographically the ele- a railing, the eastern part of in Jerusalem founded by the disciples, ments of our Christian faith, tradition, and teaching. the cruciform is divided into and the four small Greek crosses on two parts, the chancel and the the sides represent the four corners of Siting and Architecture sanctuary. the earth to which the Gospel spread. The architecture and the way the church building At the front of the chancel A simpler form of this cross, right, is is situated on the land are as symbolic as the more on the left side is the lectern, or Sanctuary and Altar used in St. Paul’s logo. readily recognized symbols within the building. The Behind the chancel is the sanctuary, or sanctum, Epistle side, for reading scriptures The processional cross used during most of the custom of building churches on an east and west line the holy place where the altar stands. This area also and making announcements. year was designed and made by Val Link, a University is believed to have its origin in the ancient practice of has seats for the ministers and those who take part in On the right side is the pulpit, of Houston Fine Arts professor. Provided through facing Jerusalem when in prayer. The entrance to St. liturgical functions. Most likely the idea of the sanctu- or Gospel side, for reading the funds from Wayne Swallows, it was first used in late Paul’s is to the west, and the altar is to the east. ary and altar came from the part of the Jewish Temple Gospel and preaching the Word. 1996. A processional cross carved in The architecture of St. Paul’s is modified English where animal sacrifices were offered. Carved on the pulpit front are olive wood is used during Lent when Gothic. In this type of architecture, the worship area The Christian altar is a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice symbols of a crown and a shield containing a descend- shiny objects are not used. is in the form of a cross, called a cruciform. The tran- and a place where we offer gifts of bread and wine to ing dove. (See below.) The crown is the symbol of septs correspond to the transverse bar of a Latin cross. be sanctified for remembrance of his suffering and Christ’s heavenly kingship, proclaiming him as the Facing the altar, the north transept is on the left; the triumph. Reredos King of Kings. The panel behind the altar is called south transept is on the right. The grape clusters, vine, and leaves carved around The shield signifies trust. It is also a symbol of St. the reredos (rear dahs). The large rose The vestibule at the west entrance is called the the top of the altar are symbolic of the Holy Com- Paul. In Ephesians 6:16, St. Paul describes the armor on each side signifies the promised narthex. This is from a Greek word meaning outer munion. The 12 clusters of grapes represent the 12 of a Christian as including the “shield of faith.” The Messiah. (Isa. 35:1) Since the 13th court.