White Bluff United Methodist Church
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
 
THE DESIGN OF OUR SANCTUARY
 

The sanctuary is built in the shape of the cross. The nave is altar-centered, the altar table being in the exact center of the room, symbolizing that God is present in our midst and hopefully at the center of all we do personally and as the family of God. The altar table is located directly below the finial where the exposed beams intersect. Above the finial, is the steeple, reaching 90 feet into the sky, lifting high the cross.

 
 

THE WINDOWS

The stained-glass windows are made of one-inch thick faceted glass set in 5/8-inch thick epoxy. The three large windows depict the Holy Trinity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOD, THE FATHER

 

The White Bluff Road window depicts God, the Father, as Creator and Guide of Israel. The creation of the universe, the flood, the twelve tribes, Abraham and Isaac, Moses and the burning bush, Isaiah and the tongs from the altar tell the story of God preparing his people for the coming of the Messiah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOD THE SON

 

Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, stands invitingly over the main entrance to the narthex. He stands victoriously over the globe of Earth. Symbols of his birth, Joseph, Mary, the flight to Egypt, through the crucifixion and resurrection, tell the story of his life and triumph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

Descending in the form of a dove, the Holy Spirit empowers the Apostles of old. Symbols of the early church leaders, Peter and Paul, are complemented with the shields of the four Gospel writers. Crosses represent the twelve Apostles and there is even a Methodist circuit rider near the contemporary church building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXIT WINDOWS

Each exit has a pair of small stained-glass windows. The two sets in the narthex symbolize the two primary virtues of devotion (east windows) with praying hands and open Bible and of service (west windows) with the towel-lava bowl and the shepherd' s crook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The east rear exit windows symbolize the miracles of our Lord at the wedding feast and feeding of the five thousand. The west rear exit windows depict our two-fold outreach of evangelism (the fish hooks and fish) and missions (the ship).

 

 

BRIDE'S ROOM WINDOW  

USHER'S ROOM WINDOW

 

The Holy Sacraments are depicted in the two rooms off the narthex. The bride's room window symbolizes the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, while the usher's room window shows the Sacrament of Christian Baptism.