First Presbyterian Church |
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First Presbyterian Church |
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 The "saltaire" or crossed keys superimposed on an inverted cross signify St. Peter. He was told by Jesus: "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church ... and I will give you the keys of the Kindom of Heaven...". Peter was crucified head downward. This plaque was inadvertently installed upside down. |
 The chalice with entwined serpent signifies St. John. Early writers state that an attempt was made to slay him by giving him a poisoned chalice, but that the Lord spared him when he made the sign of the cross over the chalice, and the poison left in the form of a serpent. It is said that he is the only Apostle who died a natural death. |
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 The windmill represents St. James the Minor (son of Alphaesus). It is postulated that this symbol represents an early mistake in identify between him and St. James the Greater (patron of Spain - site of the windmills of La Mancha). |
 The serpent of Melita cast into the fire is representative of St. Paul. Miraculously Paul was not injured when the serpent came out of the fire, attached itself to Paul's arm, and was cast off and thrown back. Paul was imprisoned and then beheaded in Rome. |
 An open Bible and a double battle axe symbolize St. Matthias. He was chosen by the original eleven apostles to take the place of Judas Iscariot. According to ancient histories, he was stoned then beheaded after missionary work in Judea (the open Bible refers to his missionary zeal). |
 The fig branch represents St. Bartholemew (thought to be the same as Nathanael) to whom Jesus said: "...when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee". It is said he was flayed alive, crucified upside down, then beheaded. |
 The sailboat with an inverted cross on its prow signify St. Jude (also called Thaddaeus) who traveled extensively on missionary journeys with St. Simon the Zealot. The manner of his death is uncertain. |
 A basket with loaves and the Tau cross represent St. Phillip (who was asked by Jesus how he could buy enough bread to feed 5,000 people). It is said he was stoned then crucified on a Tau cross (so-called because it resembles the Greek letter "T"). |
 The axe superimposed on a money bag represents St. Matthew as the Apostle. He was originally a tax collector, and was crucified on a Tau cross, then decapitated. |
 Two fish overlaying a saw signify St. Simon the Zealot. The companion of St. Jude on many missionary trips, and bishop of Jerusalem, he was considered a great fisher of men. Tradition says he died in Ethopia by being sawed asunder. |
 The cross "saltire" and a boathook (anchor) is the insignia of St. Andrew, brother of Simon Peter. Tradition says he was crucified on an X-shaped cross. The anchor recalls that originally he was a fisherman in Galilee. |
| St. Thomas is the only Apostle omitted from the symbols on the lectern, pulpit and chancel rails. Usually represented by a carpenter's square, he is the patron of builders (he is said to have built a church in India with his own hands). Tradition holds that he was martyred by being stoned, shot with arrows, then speared. |  |
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| For information about the crosses in our sanctuary click here. |
Page updated: February 13, 2000