parts of church
The Altar : presence of our Lord. The Eucharist. Worship. The throne of God. Prayer. Altar cross : Christ the Saviour of the World. Finished Redemption. Crucifix : the Atoning Death of our Lord. Two candlesticks : the twofold nature of our Lord. Six candlesticks : the six days of creation, or the six hours spent by our Lord on the cross. Three-branched candlestick : the Holy Trinity. Five-branched candlestick : the Five Wounds of our Lord. Seven-branched candlestick : the Church, or the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the Seven Sacraments. Candles : Christ the Light of the World. The altar placed in the East : Ezekiel 43, 4. The altar rail : close communion. Sanctuary lamp : the Real Presence. The chalice and paten : the Eucharist. The font : Holy Baptism. Regeneration. The chancel : the Church Triumphant. The nave : the Church Militant on earth. The chancel arch : entrance to glory by means of death. The rood beam and its Calvary : Salvation by way of the Cross of Calvary. The pulpit : God’s Word. Lectern : God’s Word. Double-faced lectern : the Old and New Testaments, or the Epistle and Gospel. The baptistery : entry into the Kingdom. The litany desk : penitence. The paschal candle : our Lord’s forty days on earth after His Resurrection. Incense : prayer. The fair-linen : the cloth in which the body of our Lord was wrapped. Five crosses on altar and fair-linen : the Five Wounds of our Lord. The door : Jesus Christ. The spire : Heavenly aspiration. The columns : the prophets, apostles and evangelists. The bell : the call of the Gospel. (Webber, 1938)