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the altar situated in the sanctuary,
located in the northeast corner of the building are
diagonally opposite each other. The font and altar are
made of gold travertine marble and are so situated to
emphasize the two major sacraments: Baptism and Holy
Communion.
The font is at the
main entrance of the church as a reminder to all Christians
of their own entrance into God’s Church through the
Sacrament of Baptism. But to be also noticed are the
mosaics in the baptistery area which depict a dove set
within an alcove wall behind the baptismal font and
a Compass Rose, symbol of the Anglican Communion, which
is embedded in the narthex floor. The baptismal font
stands majestically in the center of the Compass Rose
symbolizing that in Christ there is no east nor west,
north nor south.
Moving to the center aisle of the nave and approaching
the sanctuary, one finds the altar resting upon the
predella, or footpace, at the centerpoint of the sanctuary.
The
altar is the center of the Church’s life
and activity and, therefore, it dominates the whole
building. Appropriately, the altar which is free-standing,
emphasizes Holy Communion, the sacrament by which one
is nourished in the faith.
To be also singled out in the sanctuary behind the altar
and facing the nave is the seat of the chief officer,
the diocesan bishop, on whose behalf the parish priest
acts. The architectural position and treatment of the
bishop’s chair bearing the shield of the diocese is
intended to emphasize episcopacy as central in the government
of the Church. On either side of the bishop’s chair
are seats allocated to others whose place is within
the sanctuary.
Before moving from the Sanctuary, the visitor would
note that a carved rood group, a symbol of our redemption,
is set within a recess cross in native stone which makes
up the east wall or reredos behind the altar. A clarestory
window in the steeple admits light, and thus serves
as a lantern for the interior while illuminating the
rood group, a truly stupendous achievement.
By the time that one has gotten this far in a tour of
the church, one should be aware of the sculptured
stained glass wall in which the theme of
the Incarnation is developed and depicted through appropriate
biblical scenes. Without question, the crowning glory
of the building is to be found in the color tones and
general effect that one feels particularly when the
sunlight shines brightly through the stained glass that
is incorporated in the west wall of the building.
Finally, the visitor will notice situated above on a
platform on the east wall near the sanctuary the exposed
pipes of the church’s organ.
The console is located in the choir area
below. This magnificent instrument built by the WICKS
ORGAN COMPANY must be heard to be appreciated.
The visitor has now reached the end of this on-line
tour of the Church of the Incarnation. We hope that
you enjoyed your digital visit to this unique expression
of sacred architecture and art. It reflects the artistic
talents of different people: Harold Seckinger, the architect,
Rambusch Studios of New York which provided the art
work; and Jean-Jacques Duval, the stained glass artist.
After this on-line tour, we hope you decide to visit
the Church of the Incarnation in person.
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