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Sunday, Feb 19 6:00 PM
Jazz and Blues Vespers in the Sanctuary of the Beatitudes
featuring Willie Akins
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Sanctuary of the Beatitudes at Second Baptist ChurchThe words of interpretation found on this website were originally published in celebration of Second Baptist Church’s Sesquicentennial in January, 1983. This section of the website, as well as the original printed brochure, are dedicated with love and gratitude to the Reverend Leon R. Robison, Jr., Minister Emeritus. The text is his interpretation of the Beatitude windows. Mr. Robison was minister of Second for twenty years, including the time when the sanctuary was built, and played a major role in the design and development of these unique windows.
View the Window Tour
AN APPROACH TO THE WINDOWS
See All That You Can See - See More Than You See
Great art and important symbols can lead every person to greater
insight and a deeper understanding of the truths that are basic to
life.
Second's windows, both art and symbol, are part of the total
architectural plan to make central the presence of God in the
universe.
When entering the sanctuary one is impressed by the simplicity and
spaciousness of the design. There is a basic honesty and integrity
in the entire structure. The brick walls are without plaster and
the beams are open across the ceiling. The subdued coloring of the
brick shading into the earthy brown pigment of the windows, and the
birch wood of the pews, pulpit and communion table convey harmony
and unity of purpose. The white expanse of the upper half of the
windows and the brightness of the coulees over the cross sweep the
building with light and give the worshiper a sense of magnitude and
immensity.
The architect, in the overall conception of the building, used all
the separate elements to give a total effect contributing to
worship, each part conveying a special meaning when observed alone,
as with the windows, but each contributing a larger meaning when
viewed as a whole.
The architect for the building was Frederick Dunn. The windows
were designed and painted by Siegfried Reinhardt and produced by
Emil Frei.
The enamels used in painting became a fused part of the glass at a
temperature of 1200 degrees. The iron brown pigment was chosen to
harmonize with the brick. The rolled glass with bubbles and swirls
is known as "seedy antique". The nine windows are thirty-five feet
high and six feet wide.
One of the objectives of the artist was to design the figures as
human as possible to be appropriate to the scale of the building.
The obvious exaggeration in these figures, as seen in the hands and
faces, is deliberate, to give depth of meaning to the individual or situation
portrayed. The chief purpose of the artist was to interpret the content and
meaning of the Beatitudes.
To "see all that you see" in these windows, you will be aware of
the skill of the artist in his use of shadow and reflected light,
the delicate brush strokes, the intricate fabric of the garments,
and the folds in the cloth. Another approach is to observe the
feelings and moods expressed through the hands and the posture of
each figure. There are four paintings of Christ, each expressing
different facial features.
View the Window Tour
Posted by Timothy R. Butler on Jun 9, 2008 at 21:26:51 | Article Path: Home: Worship: Sanctuary of the Beatitudes at Second Baptist Church
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