1959 Chancel symbols
In his history, Echoes, 100 Years of Woodland Christian Church 1908-2008, Cane Ridge Curator James Trader recounts the symbology of the cast bronze icons that surround the cross on the rear chancel wall. The year was 1959. There are 12, beginning from the top with”
1. The Eastern Orthodox Cross, which has three bars, the lowest one slanted. The smaller, upper bar held the inscription placed on the cross by Pontius Pilate, “Jesus Christ, King of the Jews” and the slanted bar was for his feet.
2. The Chalace, reminding us of the Lord’s Supper and today the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
3. The Star of David, or the Creator’s Star, is composed of two equilateral triangles superimposed upon each other, a double symbol of the trinity.
4. The Fish, or Icthus. The first letters of the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” also form the Greek word for “fish.”
5. The Triquetra, composed of three equal arcs, a Celtic symbol for the trinity. Some also see three fish in the design, another symbol of the early church.
6. The Graded (or step) Cross, said to represent the four gospels writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
7. The Hand of god, emerging from a cloud.
8. The Circle, a symbol of completion, the eternal existence of God.
9. An Anchor Cross, symbolizing Jesus as our anchor.
10. The Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing Christ’s claim of being the beginning and the ending.
11. (The Dove descending from a cloud, a reference to Matthew 3:16: “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.”
12. The Chi Rho, a combination of the first two letters of the Greek word “Christos” for Christ.
13. (The IHS, the Roman form of monogram symbolizing “Jesus Hominum salvator” – Jesus, Savior of men. It also signifies the first three letters of the Greek word for “Jesus.” (Iota Eta Sigma)
14. Finally, the Maltese Cross, symbolizing new birth, is found in the negative space created in the stair railings, in the entry way leading to the balcony.
1. The Eastern Orthodox Cross, which has three bars, the lowest one slanted. The smaller, upper bar held the inscription placed on the cross by Pontius Pilate, “Jesus Christ, King of the Jews” and the slanted bar was for his feet.
2. The Chalace, reminding us of the Lord’s Supper and today the symbol of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
3. The Star of David, or the Creator’s Star, is composed of two equilateral triangles superimposed upon each other, a double symbol of the trinity.
4. The Fish, or Icthus. The first letters of the phrase “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior” also form the Greek word for “fish.”
5. The Triquetra, composed of three equal arcs, a Celtic symbol for the trinity. Some also see three fish in the design, another symbol of the early church.
6. The Graded (or step) Cross, said to represent the four gospels writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
7. The Hand of god, emerging from a cloud.
8. The Circle, a symbol of completion, the eternal existence of God.
9. An Anchor Cross, symbolizing Jesus as our anchor.
10. The Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolizing Christ’s claim of being the beginning and the ending.
11. (The Dove descending from a cloud, a reference to Matthew 3:16: “After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.”
12. The Chi Rho, a combination of the first two letters of the Greek word “Christos” for Christ.
13. (The IHS, the Roman form of monogram symbolizing “Jesus Hominum salvator” – Jesus, Savior of men. It also signifies the first three letters of the Greek word for “Jesus.” (Iota Eta Sigma)
14. Finally, the Maltese Cross, symbolizing new birth, is found in the negative space created in the stair railings, in the entry way leading to the balcony.