1859 ~ Martin Luther Lutheran Church ~ 2009
150th Anniversary
“Then will I go to the altar of God,
to God, my joy and my delight.
I will praise you with the harp,
O God, my God.
Psalm 43:4
The Altar ~
The altar in Martin Luther Lutheran Church is a work of beauty and art. This, together with the furniture, was installed by the Theodore Kundtz Company of Cleveland, Ohio. The menza is made of buff limestone and was quarried and carved in Bloomington, Indiana. It weighs 6700 pounds. Carved in the center of the front panel is the victorious Lamb of God, lying on the book of the seven seals. On either side of the Lamb are letters of the Greek alphabet Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of this alphabet, referring to Revelations 22:13 ~ “I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” A grapevine is carved around the altar at the top, having reference to John 15:1 ~ “I am the True Vine.”
On the retable, the raised ledge at the rear of the altar, there is room for candles, crucifix and vases. Candles in the sanctuary represent Jesus the Light of the world. The crucifix is always raised on a throne and should be higher than the candles. Vases should not be used unless they contain live flowers.
The reredos, crafted woodwork behind the altar, is exquisitely carved tracery and is surrounded by a carved statue of Christ enfolded in a nimbus. In art the nimbus, or halo, represents eternity or eternal life. The altar rises 18 feet above the base upon which the entire ensemble stands.
The reredos contains shields bearing emblems significant of the Passion of Christ. Starting at the extreme left:
v Two Swords and an Ear ~ The ear cut off by Peter and the possession by the disciples of swords.
v A Sword and a Staff in Saltire ~ A symbol of betrayal. Judas and those into whose hands he had betrayed Jesus came out with swords and staves to take Him.
v Crown of Thorns with Interwoven Nails ~ Jesus Passion and Crucifixion.
v The Chalice ~ Out of which rises a cross and around which is a burst of flame, reminding us of the extreme and obedient suffering of Christ and the atoning cross.
v Hammer, Nails, and Pincers ~ Relating His suffering and the cruelty of the Crucifixion.
v The Lantern ~ The architect notes that The Lantern means betrayal. Other Christian references refer to the Lantern as The Word of God or the Holy Spirits’ indwelling.
v The Torch and Sword ~ The torch is primarily used as a symbol of Christ’s Passion and the sword represents the enmity of unbelievers toward Christians. The two symbols also represent the martyrs.
Words from the past, still true today:
The sanctuary is the heart of Martin Luther Lutheran Church. It is the inspiring part of the building dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. Its true Gothic architecture, together with its appointments, such as the high altar and the beautiful rose window, immediately give the worshiper the feeling that he is in the House of God. In the sanctuary, we come to find peace for our souls, light for our way, and strength to successfully face the problems of life.
Acknowledgement of the above paragraph: In a previously printed Welcome Booklet
Next Month: The Rose Window
