Radically, but Really Regally Remodeling our Reredos
Our WHAT? A reredos is a screen or wall standing behind an altar. Here, our reredos is the curved brick-wall that holds the circular stained glass and the large wooden cross. The function of a reredos is to be a commanding and inspiring focal point for a church interior. It accentuates the most important features for liturgical worship, the altar and the tabernacle (where the reserve Sacrament is kept). A reredos should also be able to make for better visibility from the pews by providing a strong background contrast to the persons at the altar, as well as for decorations and other appointments. But this is not simply about "decor!" The whole point is to enhance the experience of worship. The stronger the impact of sacred space, the more readily a worshipper comes to sense the Holy and to encounter God here among us.
Although our reredos is surely a distinctive feature of our church, it is less than successful in realizing the points outlined above. The pastel coloring of the brick washes out or "absorbs" the sanctuary area and its appointments. Also, the busy patterns formed by the various shadings in the bricks are somewhat distracting. Another issue is that the stained glass does not work at all well in that space. Since it is not an actual window, it must be artificially lit and the glass shows very poorly when compared to the windows in the church. All in all, our reredos as it stands is not what is desirable for something so important.
For several years now, the Memorials Committee has been considering these issues. I've lost count of the number of ideas we have explored! No satisfactory solution presented itself until we hit upon the idea for that glass to become part of our new parish hall, where it could be placed using natural light. (The donors of the glass folly agree with the problem and support this plan.) Of course, to remove the glass presented another question: what to do with the circular "hole" left in the brick wall and how anything else put there would work with the wooden cross. Again, the new parish hall gave us the answer. The entire cross-and-window design that has become so familiar to us in the church would be moved to be the feature-focus of the new parish hall's interior. Besides the nice continuity this provides, it fits very well into plans to be able to use the new parish hall for alternative, non-traditional worship services.
So, what now? With the removal of the glass-and-cross we're left with a hole in the middle of a brick wall! The Committee asked architect Gus Staub to work with us, and after several months of ideas and deliberations Gus produced a beautiful design that solves things all around. Dark wood paneling (matching that currently in place) will be attached to the center section of the reredos with wainscoting attached on either side from the floor to the height of the shelf. This will cover the "hole" and the busy patterns while giving the wall a strong background for contrast. The remaining exposed brick will allow the reredos to stand out from the front wall and organ loft. All of this will showcase a magnificent 8-foot tall Christus Rex ("Christ the King")— a cross with the figure of Christ dressed in colorful Eucharistic robes (this is not a crucifix but Christ as High Priest). The cross is made of lightly toned lindenwood that will stand out strongly
against the dark panel, and it also features the symbol of each one of the four Evangelists at the cross ends.
This remodeling is in the works right now (the window and present cross will be safely stored until the new parish hall is ready). If all goes as planned, we will dedicate the new Christus Rex cross on "Christ the King" Sunday, Nov. 21! Should there be a delay, the imagery of one of the Advent Sundays will serve just as appropriately. We are very excited about the beautiful difference all of this will make!
Faithfully, Shannon+
(Please note: No Capital Campaign funds are being used for this project. This was subscribed over a year ago, and is supported by Memorials/funds, the ECW account, and private donations.)
