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Our Church Building

Praise God in the Sanctuary... for His Gifts of Love

The original design of the church facility itself is by Charles Stade and Associates, Park Ridge, Illinois. Even with extending out of the sanctuary corners through the renovation the new design continues to follow the Latin Cross plan.

Execution of the interior art work of Saint Paul Church is primarily from the gifted hands and style of Prof. Ernst Schwidder of the Art Department of Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma,Washington. His work includes the baptismal font, the lecturn/pulpit and canopy, the design of the communion rail symbols and the balcony Christ in Benediction. The bronze Saint Paul in Blessing (outside over the front church facade) is the work of Prof. Egon Weiner, sculptor, of Evanston, Illinois.

We continue to be grateful to the donors of these special works of art as well as these gifted artists. Our hope is that God may continue in this new chapter in our history to be glorified as His people worship, receive the message of the symbols, and find their faith deepened in Christ the crucified, risen and returning Lord.

The Tau Cross

The great hanging cross extended directly over the altar is called a Tau Cross because it takes the shape of the Greek letter "T". It is probable that this shape of cross was the one used for the actual crucifixion of our Lord. The cross hangs in the very center of our worship, high and lifted up, as a clear statement of the central truth of the Gospel. We are called to live under His cross in our daily lives. We are also called, as the hymn invited, to "Lift High the Cross".

The Sanctuary Lamp

The Lamp burns in the House of Worship day and night. It reminds us that God is present with His people in a special way as they share the Sacraments and the Holy Gospel. Surely He is present with us everywhere we go; but as the Body of Christ (the Church) gathers to worship, to learn, to mourn, and to rejoice, God’s Holy Spirit promises the presence of Christ with us even to the end of the world.

The Baptismal Font

The font (fountain) for Baptism is a large brass dish, shaped in shell form. The carving on the side of the font is to typify the flames of the Holy Spirit who comes to be baptized by the power of Baptism. The three candles speak of the Holy Trinity (Three-in One God) and the beautiful candelabra have three abbreviations of the word "Sanctus", thus,"Holy, Holy, Holy". During the renovation the font has been modified slightly to allow it to be moved to various locations for baptismal rites in worship (it was once connected to the old lecturn). Other symbols used in the actual baptizing include the white garment placed over the infant as a symbol of the covering of the robe of Christ’s own righteousness and a single candle given to the baptized to remind us that we are to reflect Christ, the Light of the world.

The Baptismal Canopy

The Canopy over the Font is in medallion style. The outer edge brings to us Saint Paul’s words,"We are buried with Him by Baptism into death; so that as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father, we too, might walk in newness of Life." Romans 6:4 The center of the Canopy gives us a rich new symbol of the Holy Trinity with the intercrossing of the Hebrew symbol for the Father, the Greek symbol for the Son, and the Latin symbol for the Holy Spirit.

The Christ the King Wood Sculpture

On the balcony wall, facing the congregation as we leave our worship, stands the Christus Rex (Christ the King). In His left hand he holds the world; a reminder to the people of God that our Lord is still in charge, still controls and moves all things by His power. His right hand is raised in benediction; a symbol to remind us that our Lord will bless us, keep us and give us His peace as we walk in His love and commitment to Him all the week long. Our ministry does not end as we leave worship and Sacrament; it continues all through life. We leave our church home and rejoice that God’s peace will always be with us in our homes and lives—a peace that is meant to be shared with those yet to know the Lord.

The Lecturn/Pulpit

The main symbol used as a front panel message on the renovated lecturn/pulpit is the wood carving, "Spiritus Gladius", together with a great sword. It is a saying of Saint Paul to the Christians of Ephesus (Ephesians 6:17) as he urges them and us to put on the whole armor of God" in our battle to remain faithful in our service to Christ. "Spiritus Gladius" is the Latin word for "Sword of the Spirit".

The Wall Canopy

What once was part of the pulpit, the newly located canopy on the back chancel wall continues to help us recognize the importance of the proclamation of the Gospel. On its facing are the words of Saint Paul,"We preach Christ Crucified", and below are the completing words,"Risen, Returning". The words are a reminder to all that Christ’s message, in a changing world, remains the same. At the top of the canopy are wings to remind us of the world encompassing role of the Gospel. A bronze crucifix is at the center; Christ our Lord, is always the center of all true proclamation. We are to to declare His glory and His love until He comes again.

The Altar

Our altar is a table type altar. It is supported by two pillars with a New and Old Testament symbolism adorning each. The altar stands in the center of the chancel; people can gather around the altar from all four sides. (We have full and complete access to our Lord.)

The Altar Missal Stand, The Altar Candle Stands

The Altar Missal (book stand) in brass has piercings with three interlocked fish. The three fish remind us of the Trinity. The altar candle stands hold two candles, remembering the two natures of our Lord, divine and human. The stands have, in the bases, the Greek contractions for the names of "Jesus Christ."

Christ Candle Holder

The Christ Candle holder in our chancel is in the form of a pillar of flame reminding us of the pillar of flame signaling God’s presence and guidance for the Old Testament Church during its wanderings in the wilderness. The flame is also symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who is the assurance of God’s presence with His people today. The candle burns each worship service during the Easter season. It is also lit for baptisms and stands lit at the foot of the casket for funerals.

The Communion Rail Symbols

Included in the 2007 renovation are the original communion rail symbols of the apostles set in the new removable altar rail sections. They are position based on the presented listing of the disciples from Mark 3:13-18.

Peter has the traditional symbol of the Crossed Keys (Matthew 16:19). The Cross set upside down reflects the tradition that Peter insisted on his own crucifixion in this manner.

James has been given an Escallop Shell as a symbol of his pilgrimages and a Dagger to signify martyrdom at the hands of Herod (Act 12:2).

John is assigned the symbol of a Serpent above a Communion Cup because of the tradition that there was an unsuccessful attempt to poison him through the Communion Cup.

Andrew is assigned the Cross in the form of the letter "X" because he is said to have died on such a cross. The Fish recall his original occupation, and his call to become a fisher of men.

Philip answered the Lord at the feeding of the five thousand (St. John 6:7). His symbol is usually a Cross with two Loaves.

Bartholomew is assigned the Open Bible to recall his faith in God’s Word. The Branch of the Fig Tree (St. John 1:48) recalls his standing under the fig tree where the Lord saw him.

Matthew has three Moneybags as his symbol because he was a taxgatherer. The Battle Axe reflects the tradition that his head was severed from his dead body with such an instrument at this crucifixion.

Thomas built a church with his own hands in India. Therefore, the Carpenter’s Square. He is said to have been slain by the Spear of a pagan priest.

James the Less is reported to have been pushed from the top of the temple into midair and then stoned to death as he prayed for his enemies. The Three Stones recall the stoning.

Jude has the symbol of a Ship as a sign of his mission voyages.

Simon is supposed to have suffered martyrdom by means of a Saw. The Waves and the Cross recall that he was a great fisher of men through the power of the Gospel.

The ancient traditions, not based on the Biblical record, have it that most of the close disciples of our Lord died by violent martyrdom. Our chancel rail symbolism is a reminder to us that, as the saints of old, we are called to serve our Lord faithfully, even unto death. The Gospel of Jesus is a call to loyalty and personal commitment.

The Bronze Saint Paul in Benediction

The great Saint Paul bronze, mounted over the front of the church entry, was cast in Oslo, Norway, by Prof. Egon Weiner of Evanston, Illinois. We see Saint Paul with his right hand raised in blessing-benediction out over the community and the world. Paul’s familiar blessing was (Galatians 1:3), "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ". The sculpture seeks to say to everyone who passes by: "May the Gospel Saint Paul preaches be a blessing to you!"

Stained Glass Window

The stained glass window features a descending dove of the life-transforming Holy Spirit that flows from the redemption accomplished for us by Jesus on the cross. This gift of faith and salvation is offered to us by means of the open Word of God. On the open pages of Scripture are the Greek symbols Alpha and Omega, from Revelation in reference to Jesus, the first and the last. As the tongues of fire appeared on the disciples at Pentecost, by means of the Word, we also are given the power of the Holy Spirit to bear witness to our world, one life at a time! In the background are rays of light bringing reminders of the Father’s powerful Word of creation and the promise of Jesus the Messiah, the bright Morning Star.

Saint Paul Lutheran Church & School, Mt Prospect IL