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Wed May 14, 2008 |
About the Sanctuary
PARK AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH surrounds
you with a rich tapestry of symbols and icons. The building (whose architect,
Henry C. Pelton, also designed the landmark Riverside Church) is adapted
from the 11th century Church of San Abbonio, at Como.
The Nave window, above the main entrance, is of stained glass, and divided into three separate openings symbolic of the Trinity. To the left of the window is the figure of the Griffin trampling a serpent, an icon of the traditional belief that goodness and righteousness will overcome sin and evil. At the windows' right is the figure of a lamb carrying the cross, suggesting purity and meekness upholding truth. The capitals of the two columns that divide the triple window contain, on one, a carving of the head of Christ; on the other the image of the Lamb of God.
Our
pulpit, to the congregants' right, displays symbols of the four Gospel
writers. In ascending order: the scallop shell at the bottom represents
Matthew; Mark is represented by the Lion, Luke by the 'physician figure,'
and John by the eagle atop of the figures. The whole pulpit is of hand-carved
wood, and was designed after the 11th century pulpit in the Church of San
Miniator Al Monte, at Florence.
Our Lectern, to the congregants' left, comprises a crouched winged angel on
whose shoulder is the "Book of Life." It is modeled after Voussoirs of the
porch of the Cathedral at Verona.
The facade (front) is typical of Romanesque design. Each of two long slender
columns is topped, above the fourth story, in marble and capping by an angel
reading from the Word of God to the people below.
The
Rondel above the main door has at its center a crowned Christ holding The
Lamb's Book of Life, flanked at either side by cherubs, the symbols of
praise and thanksgiving and prayer and piety. The Rondels' outer arc contains
engraved symbols of the four Evangelists interspersed with rosettes.
Above the east and west doors (directional from the main entrance) are stone
lintels with carved Biblical inscriptions, and above the lintels are symbols
representing the Twelve Apostles. These symbols are emblematic of how each
died, or was martyred. Above the East door: Bartholomew (knife); Simon (saw);
Thaddeus (halberd and square); Phillip (small cross on staff); James the Great
(three shells); John (serpent emerging from chalice). Above the West door:
Peter (crossed keys); Andrew (diagonal cross); Thomas (square and spear); Matthew
(ax); James the Minor (fuller's club); and last, Judas (bag of gold).