2
At point 2, you are standing under the roofs Lantern
or Cupola. Look up and you will see gold stars stenciled on a background
of blue representing the firmament of God. The Lantern is above the point
where the north-south transepts and the east-west nave of the church form
a cross. Great Wooden Trusses
in the style of Northern Italian Gothic architecture are supported by four
Masonry
Piers located at the front comers of the side balconies. The centrally
located
Pulpit dominates the chancel portion of the nave, symbolizing
the Congregational emphasis on preaching the Word of God. The original
1875 pulpit, put on wheels in a track in 1985, may be moved either to the
right or left side, opening up the chancel platform for use in weddings,
concerts, Communion services, graduation ceremonies, and other public gatherings.
The sacrament of Communion is celebrated five times a year, usually in
February, April, June, October and December. On these occasions, a Communion
table is set on the chancel platform and the gathering of Christ’s disciples
is celebrated in remembrance, hope and renewal. All are welcome to celebrate
Communion.
The Baptismal Font of polished brass stands to
the right of the pulpit. This font, from Mt. Vernon Church, replaced the
original carved stone one now in the Gordon Chapel. The congregation of
Mt. Vernon Church joined with Old South in 1970. Part of the proceeds of
the sale of its building, located at the comer of Beacon Street and Massachusetts
Avenue, were put into an Old South fund to help build elderly and low cost
housing in Boston.
The church’s stained glass, installed in 1875, was designed
and produced by the firm of Clayton and Bell of London. It is in the fifteenth
century English style. Above the left balcony in the north transept are
the stained glass windows depicting the Miracles of Jesus. From
left to right, they show The Calming of the Storm: “Peace Be Still”
from Mark 4: 35-41; The Raising to Life of Janus’ Daughter: “Damsel;
I Say Unto Theee, Arise” from Mark 5: 22-42; The Changing of Water
into Wine in the Marriage at Cana: “This Beginning of Miracles Did Jesus
At Cana” from John 2: l-l 1; The Raising of Lazarus from the Dead:
“Lazarus Come Forth” from John 11: l-44; and the Resurrection of
Christ, “He Is Not Here But Is Risen” from Luke 24: 6.
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High above the Miracle windows are seven round windows
in which angels proclaim Paul’s Fruits of the Spirit (Galations
5: 22, King James Version): Love, Joy, Peace, Long Suffering, Gentleness,
Goodness, and Faith. In the center is the Lamb of God. Above the right
balcony in the south transept are the Parable Windows. From left
to right they depict the parables of The Laborers in the Vineyard:
“Didst Thou Not Agree With Me For a Penny?” from Matthew 20: l-1
6; The Maidens and the Wedding Feast: “They That Were Ready Went With
Him To The Marriage” from Matthew 25: 1-13; The Good Samaritan:
“Go And Do Thou Likewise” from Luke 10: 25-37; The Prodigal Son:
“This My Son Was Dead & Is Alive Again” from Luke 15: 1 l-32; and
The
Sower: “The Seed Is The Word Of God” from Matthew 13: 3-8. Above the
Parable windows are Seven Angels surrounding the Dove of the
Holy Spirit. The angels represent the virtues Wisdom, Pity, Strength,
Counsel, Understanding, Cunning (knowledge), and Fear (of God).
A flower-like “Diaper Pattern” is stenciled around the three great
arches surrounding the Miracle, Parable and Christmas windows. You will
see this same pattern repeated in the Carpet and also on the Cushions
of the Ministers’ Chairs, needlepointed by women of the church. Look
under the two balconies and you will see stained glass windows of Sunflowers
and Lilies.
The 1921 Skinner Organ - Opus 308 has 110 stops
and 115 ranks. It was installed in 1985 after being rescued from the Ordway
Civic Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota, before that building was demolished.
The organ Console is located behind the pulpit and is on a hydraulic
platform so that it may be raised for concerts and recessed for worship
services. The organ’s 7,625 Pipes are located behind and to the
right and left of the chancel and also at the back of the rear balcony
above the entrance to the Sanctuary. Ten ornately painted Wooden Pipes
are mounted at the front of each side balcony. The choir sits on either
side of the organ. The church’s music program is extensive and the congregation
uses the UCC New Century Hymnal. In the left front comer under the
balcony are two Pianos: a Steinway given by the Mt. Vernon Church
and a Mason & Hamlin, a companion piece to the organ from the
theater in St. Paul.
The Cherry Wood Screen below the Christmas window
is a 19th century copy of the stone screen on the second floor of the Doge’s
Palace in Venice. At its top is a stenciled Frieze of Vines and Flowers.
This motif is seen also in the Venetian style Mosaics by Salviati of
London above the exit doors at either side of the chancel.
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