Symbolism in the Church
Our Church Today
Our church today is a reflection of our Christian faith. The very structure of our church (and the parts which compose it) possesses symbolic meaning, either as the product of history or architectural design. In the time of the early Christians, and in subsequent centuries, many people could not read. The church found it could tell the Good News pictorially, in a direct and stirring appeal to the visual sense. Unlettered people thus could see as well as hear the Word. Gradually there developed a rich store of symbols, many which we use today.
CHURCH SYMBOLISM
Our study of the symbolism of our church begins as we stand on the broad steps leading up to the glass doors of the narthex. The Steps suggest the Christian pilgrimage—the pathway of Christians who seek to worship God and learn his ways.
As we look up, we see the Celtic Cross at the gable peak of the church façade, where it announces in stone that this is the church of Jesus Christ. “I, if I be lifted up, will draw all of them unto me.” (John 12.32) The circle in the Celtic Cross signifies eternity, the eternal quality of redemption.
The doors symbolize the open way to salvation. “I am the door,” said Jesus. “If anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10.9) The doors open to welcome all who come into the church to worship, learn and serve.
The Bronze Panel above the door reinforces the invitation of the doors. The panel’s central figure is Christ with arms extended, inviting all to “Enter His Gates with Thanksgiving.”
The Narthex, or vestibule, is the outgrowth of a long historical development. The word “narthex” is of Greek origin and means “rod.” The Greeks used it as a name for the giant fennel, a rod-like plant. In the ancient Christian churches, which were constructed after Christianity emerged from hiding, “it was customary to have an outside court where the unbaptized catechumens (Jews, converted heathens and others preparing for admission to membership) were permitted to stand and hear the first portion of the service of Holy Communion. They looked through the openings between the columns (rods), which separated them from the congregation. Hence, the use of the term “narthex” for “outer court.” With the growth of the unrestricted entry into the churches, the narthex served no further ritual purpose after the 13th century.
In the Nave, the essentially Gothic character of the First Presbyterian Church of La Grange is apparent, for in developed Gothic architecture the nave is the main body of the structure. “Nave” comes from the Latin word “navis”, meaning “ship.” It was so called to suggest the imagery of the ship of the church being tossed about the stormy seas of persecution, heresy and schism and yet reaching its destination. The blue stained glass windows that frame the top of the nave on each side reflect the waters upon which the ship was thrust.
The Center Aisle of the nave symbolizes the path down which the Christian moves toward God.
At the end of the nave is the Chancel (pictured below). The transition from nave to chancel is marked by a change in the floor level (four steps up in the La Grange church). The body of believers as represented by the people in the nave—the church struggling and fighting to keep true to the faith and maintain the vitality of the church—becomes in the chancel the church triumphant. In the chancel is celebrated man’s victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ.
The word “chancel” comes from the Latin word “cancellus”, meaning “latticework.” The early churches separated the altar from the nave by a low parapet or open railing (cancellus). In our church there is no distinction between those who serve at the Communion table and in the pulpit and the people. Ours is a priesthood of all believers, in which clergy and laity work together in all things, including worship.
