Construction of the Sanctuary commenced in 1956. One of the committees formed was the Symbols Committee which was tasked with selection and design of the various symbols to be incorporated into the new structure. The committee consisted of Mrs. Robert Lundy, chairman; Mrs. Edward Buhler; Mr. William Buckman; Mrs. Stanley Bear; Mrs. James B. Fulk; Mr. William Firth; and Rev. Frank G. Mar.
The exterior symbols selected by the committee were acquired for $650 and installed during the masonry construction.
The interpretations below are taken from the "Symbols in Christian Art and Architecture" web site.
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The Chi Rho is one of the most ancient "sacred monograms" of Christ. They were developed by early Christians as a secret sign of their faith. This monogram is composed of the first two Greek letters of the word "Christ" (XPICTOC). The Chi Rho has many variations. |
Chi Rho Symbol
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The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. It is taken from the story of Jesus' baptism, where the Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. The three-rayed nimbus around its head identifies the Spirit as a member of the Trinity. A dove shown without the nimbus is a symbol of peace. |
Dove symbol
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The hand of God (Manus Dei) is used as a symbol of God the Father. It was virtually the only symbol for God used during the first eight centuries of the church. The hand symbolizes God's ownership of and providence for all of creation, and comes from the many references to the "hand of God" in the Bible. The Manus Dei may take other forms. A hand clutching five persons indicates God's care and concern for people. A hand with the thumb, index and middle fingers extended with the others folded back on the palm is a Latin form symbolic of the Trinity. A hand with index finger extended, middle finger curled to form a "C", thumb crossed over the ring finger and little finger curled into another "C" forms the letters IX XC, an abbreviation for the Greek name of Jesus Christ. |
Hand Of God Ssymbol
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The torch is primarily used as a symbol of Christ's Passion, and is sometimes used as a symbol for certain martyrs. |
Torch symbol
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The chalice with a cross rising from it is a symbol our Lord's obedient suffering and the agony of his passion. The chalice is a symbol of Holy Communion and the forgiveness of sin won by Christ's blood shed on the cross. This most common of all cruciforms reminds us of the supreme sacrifice offered by Jesus for the sins of the world. The cross is empty to remind us of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. |
Chalice symbol
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By Bob Ekstrand with excerpts from: History of the First United Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, 1881-1972 by George W. Bruntz 1972
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