Our Sanctuary
The Sanctuary at First Baptist Church
The sanctuary of First Baptist Church provides a unique and wonderful setting for worship. The high ceiling invites the eyes and the mind upward, toward God. The cross, the central image of our faith, is the focal point of the sanctuary.
Especially unique are the large stained glass windows. Although stained glass windows are not unique to churches, the windows of First Baptist were created in a new style for its time. Known as “faceted glass windows,” the windows consist of glass carrying color, size, and thickness set in an epoxy that would blend in color with other building materials. The twelve windows to the left (when entering the sanctuary) contain symbols of parables. The twelve windows to the right depict miracle stories, roughly following the chronology of the Gospels, beginning with changing water in wine (at the front of the sanctuary) to the resurrection window (at the back).
Many other symbols adorn the sanctuary, from the carvings on the pulpit and lectern to the symbols within the cross in the rear of the sanctuary. Symbols were used by the first Christians hiding in the catacombs. They became even more widely used in the medieval church where the majority of the congregations were illiterate. The more frequently they were seen, the more easily they were recognized. The following drawings and titles are offered to enable the viewer to become familiar with the symbols used. Besides adding beauty to the sanctuary, the symbols—in the windows and elsewhere—continue to fulfill their ancient role of teaching the truths of Christianity.
CHANCEL FURNITURE
The Chancel furniture was used in the temporary Sanctuary (current Fellowship Hall) but was remodeled and refinished by the Hiawassee Furniture Company of Athens, Tennessee, manufactures for Cokesbury Publishing House of Richmond, VA.
COMMUNION TABLE DESIGN
The communion table is in the shape of a cross. It was built by the Hiwassee Company. The symbols which appear on the base were taken from the table in the temporary Sanctuary. There are eleven symbols representing the life and character of Jesus.
PULPIT DESIGN
The pulpit and lectern have symbols designed and carved by George Ciukurescu of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The symbols on the pulpit are the butterfly (resurrection), Christmas Rose, (nativity), Fleur-de-lis (trinity) and the anchor (hope and security).
LECTERN SYMBOLS
The symbols on the lectern represent the four Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Additional symbols appear at random such as the Christmas rose, etc. on the pulpit and lectern.
PEW DESIGN
The pews in the Nave were crafted by Hiwassee Furniture Company and are similar in style to the former pews. On the ends of the pews are five recurring symbols: acorn and oak leaf (eternal life), pomegranate (resurrection), wheat (bread of life), grapes (atoning death of Christ), and olives with branches (peace).
CANDLESTICK DESIGN
The candlesticks represent the light of the world as made available by the four gospel writers, were also made by George Ciukurescu.
CHANCEL CROSS
Although there is no detail about the design of the cross other than wood and metal, the design on the cross is a “Rossett.” The cross is 14′ 6″ tall and 10’9” across and 9.5″ wide. The cross weighs 440 pounds.
The cross was fabricated by: Holland Church Furniture 313 Prospect Street New Holland, PA 17557
GALLERY CROSS
The cross on the rear wall of the Sanctuary is from the old sanctuary. The cross features the Conquering Lamb of God, surrounded by twelve doves that have the dual symbolism of the Holy Spirit as it spoke through the twelve apostles.
ORGAN DESIGN
In 1947 the church contracted with the Schantz Organ Company to build a three-manual instrument for the sanctuary of the old downtown church. The organ was installed in February 1948. Upon completion of the sanctuary (current Fellowship Hall) on Grace street, the original organ was moved in 1956. (This organ was later sold.)
In December 1969 a contract was negotiated with the Schantz Organ Company for the construction of the four-manual organ for the new sanctuary. This organ contains 73 ranks, totaling 2,763 pipes.
CARILLON DESIGN
The carillon, designed and manufactured by Van Bergen Bellfoundries, Inc., consists of twenty-five bells ranging in weight from 44 pounds up to 3,200 pounds. The bells are made of the finest bell bronze and a mixture of tin and copper. There are three pealing bells, while the others are sounded by a striking mechanism mounted within the bells. The three bell peal was the first such in South Carolina using large bells. The carillon can be played either manually from a console and from the organ keyboard or automatically by a music roll player and program clock pre-set to play at various times of the day. It is hoped that the carillon will serve to quicken our consciousness of God through the day.
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