Home About St. John's Tour of the church

A Self Guided Tour of St John's

 Let's begin by turning from Innes Street through the main Breezeway
Welcome to St John's!

 Breeze Way

 

Old Lutheran CemetaryAs the first Lutheran congregation in Salisbury, it has been determined that worship began in homes in approximately 1747. On September 9, 1768, John Lewis Beard deeded to the “German Lutheran Church” the property on which to build a church. This was the only church in Salisbury for 50 years. That church and its successor were wooden structures on North Lee St. at what is now known as the Old Lutheran Cemetery. (We suggest a visit to this site.) This is the fifth building to house St. John’s congregation. The next two were in the 200 block of North Main. In 1925, construction was begun at this new site, 200 West Innes, and completed in 1926. The first service was January 2, 1927. The exterior is highlighted by two towers which reflect a late Gothic Revival style.

 


Memorial Garden and ColumbariumMEMORIAL GARDEN AND COLUMBARIUM

(to your right as you cross under the Breezeway)

Completed and dedicated in 1997, the Memorial Garden and Columbarium is harmonious within its setting, designed with taste and dignity. It is a place of quiet where visitors can meditate and reflect, remembering loved ones and friends. Plaques on the Columbarium wall list the names of those who have been inured there or have had their remains scattered in the Memorial Garden.

 (Move to front of Sanctuary Building)


SANCTUARY

(standing on the front sidewalk in front of center doors)

Sanctuary Doors

 The four bronze doors were designed and cast in 1977 by Luther Sowers, a member of the congregation. The theme is based on the Gospel of John, appropriate since St John is the namesake of this congregation.

The artist used a wax process once used by masters of the Renaissance. The doors themselves consist of bronze castings mounted on a sheet of hammered copper to form the panels. The panels are actually suspended within the center of the wooden frames. This allows for the expansion of the metal and prevents the wooden frames from cracking and warping.

 

The center front door panels feature words from John 1:1. The left panel features the words IN THE BEGINNING, the design reflects the earliest stage of Creation, the flame (represents the raw power of God in Creation), below that, water and fish. The right panel of the center doors features the words, WAS THE WORD; the design reflects later creation mountains, land, trees, and man, ADAM.

 

Sow the WordThe door to the far left features the words from John SOW THE WORD which reflects the purpose of the Church. The figure represents all the people of God.

 

I am the TruthThe door to the far right features the words I AM THE TRUTH. The figure represents Christ and the eternal truth of the Word of God and His Son Jesus Christ who is the Word become flesh.

 




CORNERSTONE

(Right front corner)

Corner StoneThe time capsule was originally placed in 1927 and opened in 1997 to commemorate the congregation's 250th anniversary. Memorabilia from that year were placed in the cornerstone in addition to replacing the original material from 1927. 

 





(Move to left side door and enter the narthex.)

 NARTHEX

Center Narthex DoorsThe Narthex was originally much smaller. It was enlarged in 1967 when the Education Building and Chapel were built. Pews formerly were placed all the way back to the large arches. The pews were removed to provide an entrance that joined the two buildings. At that time, the sand carved glass panels, fabricated by the Voight Company of Philadelphia, were erected to tie this building with the new building, since sand carved glass was used extensively in the new building; and, to separate the nave from the Narthex.

The figures of St. Peter and St. Paul dominate the center doors.

 


Right Narthex DoorsLeft Narthex DoorsThe double doors on each side contain the symbols of the four Gospels.

On the left - St. Matthew with book; St. Mark with winged lion.

On the right - St. Luke with winged ox; St. John with eagle.

 The smaller panels between the side aisles depict the festivals of the church year.

From left to right: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter, Pentecost, Trinity, Ascension

 


(Move through the glass doors into the worshipping area)

NAVE

NaveNotice the Tiffany-style stained glass windows: The panels depicting the Shepherds in the Field and the Ascending Christ in the transepts and Jesus praying in the Garden above the balcony were created by the George Hardy Payne Studios in Patterson, NJ. The ceiling is approximately 52 feet high at the center height and was first decorated in a major renovation in 1947 that included a new altar, pulpit, and lectern. (Ceiling design is similar to that found in medieval Scandinavian churches.)

 The triptych (trip-tick) is goldleaf. The three original oil paintings are by Rambusch artist, J. Olaf Olsen of Philadelphia. Left: INCARNATION, Right: PENTECOST, Center: RESURRECTION

(The angel with red shoes is a whimsical trademark of the artist)

 

ALTAR

Altar and ReredosThe altar is of Italian Botticino marble. Paraments cover the front of the altar during some seasons of the church year. The Reredos (re-ra-dos) behind the altar is of dark Vermont Verdante marble.

 

 



ORGAN

The organ was originally a 50 rank Casavant Opus 2245 built in 1955 by Casavant-Frères of Quebec, Canada. Upon completion of the 2004 restoration, the organ was enlarged to 80 ranks with approximately 6,000 pipes. The restoration included upgrading the console from electro-pneumatic to solid state and digital, increasing the number of pipes by adding a great division that is cantilevered into the Chancel, and festival trumpets in the balcony. Also, tonal changes were made to several existing pipes. It is known as one of the finest instruments in the Southeast.

 

BAPTISTRY


BaptistryInstalled in 1947, the baptismal font was in the previous church on North Main St. The tapestry painting is executed by Rambusch Decorating of New York. The painting is surrounded by carved and ornamental framework. The Lord’s Prayer and Apostle’s Creed are on either side of the tapestry.

 








CHIMES

ChimesThe Chimes were installed in September 1931. They are 16 note Deagan Tower Chimes and are the finest ever built according to a recent evaluation, There were four hundred and thirty nine built and we have one of less than 200 operational chimes still in existence.  



CHAPEL

(Return to the breezeway and follow its path to our Chapel and Education Building.)

 

The Education Building and Chapel were completed in 1967. The attention given to “Religious Art and Symbolism” in the Chapel and on the exterior of the building provides aesthetic appeal.


(Outside)

MOSAIC PANEL

The panel over the West Innes entrance features the Eagle – symbol of St. John. It was created by Edward C. Smith of Conshohocken, PA.

 
(Move to the Inside)

Chapel Front DoorFRONT DOOR

The glass panels are sand-carved and depict the ship (top) symbol of the church, to the right are the four symbols of God’s Grace, on the left are the four symbols of Christian response.

 

THE DOOR TO CHAPEL

Chapel DoorsThe glass entrance doors to the Chapel are also sand-carved with the Apostle’s Creed. Surrounding the door are Christian Symbols representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Chapel Altar




ALTAR

The centrally located free standing Altar brings the idea of God’s living presence in the midst of the congregation. Note the circular communion rail that allows one to feel the closeness and fellowship of the family of God.


STAINED GLASS

 Designed and produced by Willet Stained Glass Studios, the large north transept window depicts the first article on creation-“I believe in God the Father Almighty” an effort to portray the continuing and dynamic activity of God in creation. The south transept depicts “I believe in the Holy Ghost the Holy Catholic Church” - life from Pentecost through today and into tomorrow. The eight smaller windows around the nave depict the life and work of Christ. From the left facing the doors, clockwise:  Holy Family in stable at Bethlehem, Jesus in the Temple; Baptism in the Jordan, Temptation by the devil, (other side) First Miracle – water into wine, Last Supper, Jesus on the Cross, raised from the empty tomb.

 

Chapel ReredosREREDOS (“re-ra-dos” back panel), completed in 1997.
 


There are other architectural features at St. John’s that you may see on your tour. Please let us know if you have any questions.


 

 Thank you for touring St John's!

For more images of St. John's and it's architecture,
please visit our image gallery, "A Glance of St. John's"