Leaving behind their original church to the west, Grace Episcopal moved into their new sanctuary in 1961 at 514 East Argonne.
A newspaper article related the details of the new church: designed by Frederick Dunn & Associates, it was to be built in two parts. Earlier this year I looked at Dunn’s National Garden Club headquarters and Second Baptist.
First the sanctuary would be built, which was smart as I know of many churches around St. Louis where congregations started with classrooms or gymnasia and never got around to the more important part! Afterwards, another wing with additional amenities was built, but I don’t think it took the initial form as proposed in 1960.
The price quoted in 1960 was $520,000, which was a substantial amount of money. It was well spent, and Grace Episcopal is one of the more stunning interior Modernist spaces in the St. Louis area.
The focal point of the sanctuary is the amazing mid-relief sculpture by Hillis Arnold, the Modernist sculptor who left his mark throughout St. Louis and actually taught at Lewis and Clark Community College.
It’s a bit hard to tell what the relief represents, but it is perhaps an illustration of the Eucharist or the Miracle of the Loaves and Fish. I can’t tell for sure. The series of letters below the altar are much easier to interpret. The top row is IC XC, which are the first and last letters of Jesus Christ in Greek. The word below, NIKA, means victory in ancient Greek, as well, so you can read it along the lines of Jesus Christ is victorious, or conquers.
Chris, I have a friend who is a member of Grace Episcopal. I asked him if there was a document explaining the Reredos relief sculpture. Here is that explanation. Also, he is still researching the missing bell story.
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/f4/04/D209403B-503E-4601-814A-AAC292533188/IMG_2988.heic
This reredos erected in loving and grateful memory of the life of Edwin M. Harford, 1879-1964.
The following interpretation of the copper sculpture created by Mr. Hillis
Arnold was written by the sculptor in collaboration with the rector.
The Bible verses used to guide the artist in arriving at this artistic creation are:
Jesus said,
“I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not
hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst” John 6:35
Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” John 15:5
The three units of this sculpture are 1) the bread and the wine representing Jesus Christ, 2) the family relationship strengthened by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and, 3) the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God as symbolized by the eye.
The center subject, the Holy Communion, representing Jesus Christ, is the largest in scale and is the most prominent of the sculpture. chalice is large, as I meant for it to be, and the bottom portion appears to be absorbed by the vine and its branches. (Many individuals have thought at first glance that the chalice was a fish, which is also a symbol for Christ. The five Greek letters that spell “fish” are the initial letters of the five words, “Jesus Christ God’s Son Saviour.”) The broken loaf and bits of bread together with the chalice of wine are constant reminders that we worship a Lord whose body was broken and whose blood was shed for all mankind, and that we who claim to be His followers are invited to share in His life, to take His life into ourselves and share both the joy and the suffering that was His. The man on the Epistle side bows in humility because of his unworthiness to receive this most gracious gift. The woman on the Gospel side is filled
The family unit at the extreme right is guarded by the Holy Spirit symbolized by the hovering dove above.
The rays of light from the
beak of the dove lead to the Holy Bible in the hands of the father of the family. The dove has long been a symbol of the Holy Spirit as well as purity and peace. Christian education in this family is of primary importance. In the background you will notice a sketch of the modern home of today.
The unit on the extreme left represents the brotherhood of man under the ever-present God symbolized by the eye, but appearing somewhat like the Sun. Many scriptural references are made to the Eye of God and it has come to symbolize the all-knowing and immanent nature of God. One individual in this group is trying to be a Good Samaritan to his fallen brother and is encouraging him to take his rightful place within the circle. The flow of the pattern of arms of these men lead to the symbol of Christ in the center panel. In the background you will notice a sketch of the present Grace Church.
Between the center panel and the right hand panel you will notice two hands plucking a leaf. This is my symbol of the confirmand, having taken upon himself the vows made for him at his Baptism, with a rudimentary knowledge of God but through the cultivation of years of growth, symbolized by the successive obstacles in the terrain, he becomes a fruitful Christian, symbolized by the flower at the top.
The background to the left of the center panel depicts the vine in fruition with the flowers at the top representing faith and hope. The vine which has its roots in the sacrifice of our Lord encompasses the entire sculpture to insure that none for whom Christ died might be lost.
with rapture and joy as she participates in the Eucharist (Thanksgiving).
Wow, thank you so much for providing such a detailed explanation of the sculpture! I really appreciate it.