South Side Windows The last picture is named The Ascension. It shows around it and touch it. The flowing water symbolizes Continuing back along the south side, every Jesus being taken into heaven, as described in Luke the water necessary for life and growth. second set of windows contains pictures. The first of 24:51, “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he “The design is that of the sun, with rays around these is called Christ In The Temple. It shows Christ was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.” it,” he said. “The rays resemble the buttresses of the as a child of 12 conversing with the learned priests Most ascension pictures show Jesus in white for puri- church building. Each ray is carved differently, to of the temple in Jerusalem. The story is in Luke 2:47 ty; this shows him in a purple robe, signifying royalty. symbolize the diversity of human beings.” and states: “All who heard him were astonished at his Other Windows Christ Statue St. Paul’s understanding and answers.” The other windows have various religious symbols The statue of Christ on the front lawn is a copy of United The next picture is named St. Paul. He is import- and geometric designs – circles for eternity, flowers of a famous statue by the Danish sculptor Bertel A Self- ant to us, not only because our church is named for the lily (fleur-de-lis) for the Trinity. Windows like these Thorvaldesen, who made the original in 1819. That Methodist him, but because nearly half of the New Testament also are in the Narthex, the Chapel, and rooms on statue is in the National Church of Denmark in Church is comprised of letters written by him to churches he Guided other floors. A total of 89 stained-glass windows are Copenhagen, and other copies are located around is had either founded or visited. This shows him with located throughout the sanctuary building. the world. Placed at St. Paul’s in 1965, this copy was a sword. In describing the armor of a Christian, Paul given by the Henderson family in memory of Robert a cathedral Tour talks of the “sword of the Spirit.” (Ephesians 6:17) Ceiling Henderson and his sister, Edna Henderson Bowles. for Houston of the The next set of pictures depicts people of the Old Gothic architecture is reflected in the shape of the Summarizing from Dr. Norman Vincent Peale that Testament. The first picture, Ruth, the Gleaner, illus- ceiling, which resembles the hull of an upturned ship. in Guideposts magazine: Thorvaldsen prepared the Sanctuary embodies trates the story from the Book of Ruth, showing her The early Phoenician Christians, who were seafaring clay model for this statue with arms raised high in of gleaning wheat in the fields of Boaz, whom she later people, turned the hull of a ship upside down and a gesture of imperious leadership. Then he left his its diversity, married. She and Boaz became ancestors of Joseph, held their worship services under it. This tradition studio to let the soft clay harden overnight. But when inspires faith, St. Paul’s the earthly father of Jesus. has continued in Gothic structures. In some large he returned, Jesus’ arms had drooped. They no longer and United The other Old Testament picture is of Moses to churches, the ceiling is stone or dark wood. This ceil- commanded; they seemed to have fallen into a gesture whom God gave the Ten Commandments. It is ing is pecky cypress, which has tiny pockets or recesses of pleading. leads change Methodist unusual that it shows Moses with a scroll on which in it; less than 10 percent of cypress trees have this After his initial disappointment, Thorvaldsen then for the common Church, the Ten Commandments are written rather than the characteristic. saw the image of the true Jesus, the Man of Com- good stone tablets normally associated with Moses. The art deco light fixtures are etched amber glass. passion. At that moment he became a Christian and of all peoples Houston Main Street Windows Each fixture contains 25 light bulbs, and when they eventually named the statue, “Come Unto Me.” The large window facing Main Street was designed are replaced, scaffolding has to access them. Bankston Green/Williford Labyrinth and for this location and is titled Come Unto Me from the Narthex In honor of now-retired senior minister Dr. James communities. passage in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all who The Narthex is at the Main Street entry. The word L. (Jim) Bankston and his nearly 20 years of service to labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” In narthex comes from the Latin, meaning outer court. St. Paul’s, in 2014 the front lawn at Main and Binz/ the circle at the top of the window is what looks like The doors are leather-covered with unpolished brass Bissonnet was transformed into the Bankston Green. a dove; however, the records say it is a phoenix. Greek nail heads. Above the doors are designs of four open This also made the area accessible and more mythology says the phoenix bird was consumed by circles, representing the Four Gospels. Within the cir- user-friendly with benches and landscaping surround- flames and arose alive from the ashes. For Christians, cles are shields, representing St. Paul. The glass cross ing the Chartres-pattern Labyrinth, dedicated to St. this symbolizes resurrection. in the doors is a Latin cross. The furniture in the Paul’s now-retired minister of spiritual formation, Rev. North Side Windows Narthex contains carvings of grapes, leaves, and vines. Gail Williford. From Main Street, the first window on the north The floor here and in the Sanctuary is slate. ST. PAUL’S side shows Jesus consoling a young man whose head History (also see History of St. Paul’s brochure) UNITED METHODIST is on his lap. Thus, the picture is named The Comfort- Outside The St. Paul’s congregation was organized in CHURCH ing Christ or Christ The Consoler. Jones Plaza and Sunshine Fountain 1905-1906. Members worshiped in the first Sanctuary 5501 Main Street at Binz/ The next picture in this first set is The Good In the late 1990s Calumet Street between the Jones building at Milam and McGowen until 1927, when Bissonnet Shepherd, illustrating the story of the good shepherd and Sanctuary buildings was purchased and reconfig- more space was needed and plans were begun for the Houston, TX 77004 and the sheep in John 10:l-16, specifically John 10:11, ured into the Jones Plaza, named in memory of the current, larger church building. in the Museum District where Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, I will Jones family of charter members whose descendants 713-528-0527 Phone guard my flock, I will tend my sheep.” continue to worship here. Tours 713-528-7748 FAX The next picture is called The Three Marys, or He Is Tours of the sanctuary are provided at 12:15 p.m. The Sunshine Fountain in the middle of the plaza www.stpaulshouston.org Risen, illustrating Matthew 28:6 when the angel says, was built through individual gifts in memory of Anne on certain Sundays. These will be announced in that “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” The Jones Brice. Dedicated in 2002, the fountain was de- Sunday’s worship bulletin. angel in white is standing on the tomb, and the three signed by Jesus Moroles who explained that the sculp- To arrange a guided group tour, call the church at Traditional worship for contemporary people Marys are robed in red, blue, and green. ture is round and in the open so people could move 713-528-0527 or email [email protected]. 10-15-18/150 Architecture The silver cross often on the altar with the circle in A large stylized rose is carved on each side of the The Gallery, or Echo, Organ the center is known as a Celtic cross, associated with reredos; smaller roses are in other places. These The architecture is Modified English Gothic. This (The Lortz-Walters Gallery Organ) Wales and Ireland. The circle represents eternal life. symbolize “The Promised Messiah.” In the Old design creates an older appearance than the actual An echo organ in the balcony ceiling had become The letters IHS are in the center of the Celtic cross, Testament Book of Isaiah, the prophet states that “the construction date of 1929-1930. The outside is Indi- inoperable over the years, and the current echo organ and the letters IHC are in the shield in the center of desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose upon the ana limestone, the roof and most of the original floors was installed among the balcony pews in November the altar. Both are an abbreviation for Jesus, the full coming of the promised Messiah.” (Isaiah 35) are slate. The architect was Alfred C. Finn, popular in 2004 by the Schantz Organ Company. It consists of Greek word being IHEOYE. Because of various trans- At the top of the reredos and on the sides and Houston in the late 20’s, and a protégé of Houston 12 ranks and 732 pipes in casing on the back wall of literations from ancient Greek to English, the letters back of the choir loft are carvings of angels, symbolic civic leader Jesse H. Jones, who was a member of St. the balcony, also made by the Schantz Organ Compa- S and C may have the same use.