Communion table saved from the fire of 1859 that destroyed the church building previously located at the corner of Pleasant and Main Streets.

Questions are often asked about what happened at South Church in a certain year or what the symbols in the stained glass windows mean. It is hoped this information will be helpful to the members of the Confirmation classes and others interested. Since the fire at South Church on Sunday night, December 5, l999, when there was extensive damage done in the Parish House, but fortunately not in the Sanctuary, there has been even more interest in our church building.

On March 25, l979, the Rev. Dr. John B. McCall, then senior pastor of the church, preached a sermon on symbols, entitled, "I Thought You'd Never Ask." Some of this material has been gleaned from that sermon and also from facts included in publications written for the Centennial and the l50th Anniversary observance in l987 of South Church. Various study books on church symbolism have also been used for reference.

Click here to go directly to the symbols section of this page.

The alter and organ pipes at South Congregational Church.

The Hutchins/Votey organ, the fifth organ for the church, installed in l902, was refurbished and renovated in l980 and in the l950's.

In a picture of the sanctuary (circa l902) the choir loft was behind the pulpit and the choir members sat behind a dark green curtain, the Scripture tablets on the wall had gold lettering on a dark green background, and written on the arch over the Chancel were the words, "Holiness Becometh Thine House, O Lord, For Ever." It is not known when they were painted over.

In l9l4 the practice of raising income through Pew Rent was abolished and the Every Member Canvass was established and has continued in some form ever since.

The Tiffany and other Memorial windows were added between l9l5 and l9l7 (see descriptions of them under the section on Symbolism).

South Congregational Church was incorporated on January 22, l9l7, representing the merger of Society and Church.

In the winter of l942-l943, during World War II, South Church was between settled pastors, so united services were held with members of the First Congregational Church. Their pastor, the Rev. Richard F. Beyer, preached Sundays at South Church where we provided the heat, a scarce commodity at that time.

The Memorial Chapel, relocated and rebuilt after the fire of 1999.

In l949 the Chapel, then on the east side of the Parish House, was furnished and dedicated as a Memorial Chapel. It continues as the Memorial Chapel in its new location on the west side of the Parish House.

Renovations during l952 included relocation of the choir loft (its members could no longer peek out from over or underneath the curtains), the parking lot was enlarged and paved, and the side entrance and walk on the east side of the church were finished.

The ceiling lanterns and wall fixtures were installed in the Sanctuary as a Centennial gift and also in l960 the iron railings were added to the front steps. (In this instance Centennial represents l00 years of the present church building- not of the founding of the church in l837).

On January 25, l96l, South Church members voted 432 to l03 to join the United Church of Christ, thus becoming the South Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ.

During a thunderstorm on August 9, l968, lightning struck the church steeple and did significant damage.

President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan worshipped at South Church on Sunday, February 22, 1976. Members of the Secret Service had checked out the entire church in advance, but they rose to attention when the congregation began moving around for the Passing of the Peace.

Significant structural improvements and renovations were made during the period of l983-l987 which included the construction of two new classrooms in Fellowship Hall (replacing the stage), protection of the Memorial Windows in the Sanctuary and the addition of a restroom in the bell tower room accessible for the handicapped.

The Scripture passages on the sanctuary tablets were repainted in l99l by R.P.Hale with red and black letters having golden luminated initials. At the time of repainting, some modifications from the original selections were made in the Scriptures. Old Testament verses from Genesis l, Psalms 23, Jeremiah 3l, Micah 6 and the Ten Commandments from Exodus 20 are now written on the left tablets and on the right tablets are selections from the New Testament taken from John l, Luke l0, I Corinthians l3, Revelations 21 and the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. The tablets symbolize the Ten Commandments which constitute the basic moral law for both Jesus and Christians. They are sometimes called the decalogue or the ten words.

On May, 8, 1996 a vote was taken at an Annual Business Meeting for South Church to become an Open and Affirming Church.

During the year 2000 extensive renovations and improvements made in the Parish House were necessitated by the fire in December l999. The church office was moved into the space where the Chapel had been located, and expanded Sunday School rooms are now on the lower level. The space originally containing the parlor and library is now the Chapel, and the library-meeting room is on the lower level.

The kitchen was moved from the lower level to off Fellowship Hall which is a multi-purpose room used for meetings and even as a dining room. Offices for the ministers and staff were grouped along the south wall of Fellowship Hall which was enhanced in the renovation by exposing the wood ceiling beams and adding a stairway to a mezzanine which created a room for youth activities. Handicapped restrooms are now available on both floors of the Parish House which has a new entryway with elevator access.

The South Church steeple and bell tower.

Symbols and pictures are worth a thousand words. Some of the symbols in the South Church are not conspicuous, as they are found in the physical layout of the building itself. The single spire points upward like a finger, as a silent witness to our faith in the One True God, whom people come to worship in the church. Our spire has a cross at the top signifying that God loves the world and is reconciling the world to God through the worship, meditations, prayers and hymns of the people below. The bell calls the worshipers to come and give the worship and adoration that are due God. It symbolizes the sounding forth of the Word.
 

The church door reminds us of Jesus who said, "I am the door" (John l0:9). The large open doors welcome everyone, inviting all into the church to worship, learn and serve.

The pillars, the main support of the church, give witness to the apostles and prophets and to the leaders of the church. The arches above the doors and windows have symbolic significance as they join together the pillars and walls of the church, reminders of Jesus Christ and the sacraments by which God and people are joined together. The arch is also said to be symbolic of the beneficence of God and the hospitality of the Christian faith. The steps or stairs represent the Christian pilgrimage.

 

Communion table saved from the fire of 1859 that destroyed the church building previously located at the corner of Pleasant and Main Streets.

It is customary to think of the church building as the House of God and to be reverent in the Sanctuary. Upon entering the church from Pleasant Street, one steps into the Narthex which represents the space between the world outside and the world inside. The Communion Table from our first South Church building is in the Narthex.

The area where the congregation sits is called the Nave which is the Latin word for Ship. It reminds us of the Ark on which people found refuge from the destroying flood. The Church sails unharmed through all perils.

The Chancel is the section of the church around the Altar and is reserved for use by clergy and the choir. It represents the Throne of God and speaks of the Divine Presence. The Altar reminds us of the ancient sacrifices and the table on which the elements of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper are placed and served. The most important symbol for the Sacrament of Holy Communion is the Chalice, similar to the original cup used by Jesus. The cup stands figuratively for the bitterness of the suffering of Christ in Gethsemane and upon the cross (Luke 22:42). Bread used in Holy Communion symbolizes the Bread of Life (Mark l4:22).

The South Church communion table, a classic example of an 18th century refractory table. The two side tables were in the Fellowship Hall at the Christmas, 1999 fire and were destroyed. The present side tables were built by a church member from collective memory and pictures of the charred remains.

Candlesticks upon the Altar remind us of the words, "I am the light of the world ," (John 8:l2). The two candlesticks also represent the two natures of Jesus Christ - the human and the divine. Flowers on or near the Altar are symbolic of the beauty of God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As the seed dies in order to produce the more beautiful blossoms, so does human life die in order that it may flower in eternal life.

The Thatcher Dewey memorial baptistry.

Near the Altar is the white marble baptismal font or baptistry. This was given in memory of Thatcher Dewey who died on August 22, l899, at the age of eight. He was the son of the pastor of South Church at that time, Dr. Dewey, for whom the Dewey School was named. Inscribed around the bottom of the font are the words, "suffer the little children to come unto me..."

There are many kinds of Crosses. The Cross over the Chancel, known as the Latin Cross, is the center of our attention. There is no crucifix on our Cross, as Protestants believe that the Vacant Cross, so-called, is the Cross of resurrection and victory. We do not worship the Cross, but it points our faith beyond itself to the reality of the Christ.

The most popular forms of all crosses are the Latin Cross (the form on which it is believed our Lord was crucified) and the Greek Cross which has four arms of equal length, noticeable on a window on the east wall of the Sanctuary. They are the oldest Christian forms of crosses and most basic in design, so variations are made from them. When the Latin Cross has three steps, as on the brass candle holders and flower urns, representing faith, hope and love, the Cross is known as the Calvary Cross or Graded Cross. The Latin Cross Fleurée is the cross embroidered on the pads in the brass offering plates.

The pulpit and lectionary at South Congregational Church.

The Pulpit holds the Holy Bible, the Word of God, and the record of the Christian revelation. The opened book indicates that the Bible is accessible throughout the world and it is full of symbolism. In our church the Gospel is read and expounded from the Pulpit.

Antependia, hangings or paraments on the Altar and Pulpit are changing colors which attract, add variety, and point to the significance of the season or festival. The same colors of the church year are also used for bookmarks and stoles.

• White- displayed at Christmas, Epiphany and Easter celebrate the goodness and purity of Christ
• Violet or Blue - displayed during Advent and Lent through Maundy Thursday- colors of royalty; a sign of anticipation and grief, also symbolic of humility, suffering, sympathy and fasting
• Red - displayed at Pentecost, and at festive occasions like ordinations and installations of pastors, represents celebration and thanksgiving and refers to the blood of the church martyrs
• Green - displayed the remainder of the year, the universal color of nature, signifying hope, and the growth and change in life
• Black - Good Friday- either black or no paraments used
• To these colors add gold, as it is used on the fringes of the paraments. Gold refers to virtue and the glory of God.

The banners created by church members

Banners are symbols of rejoicing and of victory. South Church is indebted to R.P. Hale and many others in the congregation who have created such colorful and meaningful banners for the Sanctuary.

The trefoils or fleur de lis, meaning flower of life, can be seen on the overhead lanterns and on the top of the hymn board. This symbol reminds us of the Trinity - God as Creator, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Above the Chancel there is a single round window, facing south. It consists of three intertwined circles, symbolizing the Trinity and it bears Latin inscriptions. Around the outside of the circles are the words "Unus Dominus, Una Fides, Unum Baptisma" - one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism. Inside the three circles are the words "Deus, Christos, Spiritus" - God, Christ and Spirit. In the inner circle is a classical Latin sentence, "Ecce, agnus Dei..ecce qui tollit, peccatum mundi - Behold the Lamb of God, behold the One who taketh away the sin of the world." At the very center is the familiar symbol of the Cross with the Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, reminding us of Jesus' words, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." (Revelation 22:13).

Hidden away, and hardly noticed, is the descending dove. In Mark l:l0 we are told that at Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit came to him like a dove.

The north windows

In the North Gallery, facing Pleasant Street, there are three tall, narrow windows with rounded tops. Latin inscriptions read across like the pages in a book, from left to right: "Non Nobis, Domine, Non Nobis..Sed (missing) Nomini, Tua Da Glorium." These words are from the ll5th Psalm: "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory." Inside the three circles, again, are the three aspects of the Trinity: Pater, father, Filios, Son; Spiritus, spirit. The other words inside the circles form a sentence: "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth (Sabaoth is a Hebrew word which means heavenly host- therefore...) Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts." In the center window is the small design of the cross and three letters, "INR" from the Latin words, Iesus, Nazarensis, Rex, "Jesus of Nazareth, King." The IHS (the monogram for Jesus) represent the first three letters of the Greek spelling of Jesus (iota, eta, sigma - the capital H is really the Greek eta).

Side Windows - There are six stained glass windows each on the east and west sides of the Sanctuary; seven are original, installed in l859-l860, and five are later memorials.

On the West Wall, beginning at the rear are:

• LILY- the lily is the symbol of Easter and immortality- the bulb decays in the ground, yet from it new life is released .
• OMEGA- Alpha and Omega - the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. It is believed that the window with the symbol for Alpha may have been replaced by the Tiffany window next to the window with the Omega symbol. Other original windows replaced by Memorial windows had symbols with the Bible, the butterfly representing the resurrection, a descending dove for the Holy Spirit, and the fleur de lis).
• JESUS WITH THE WOMAN AT THE WELL - the story as told in John 4:7. "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister" "-In loving memory of Jesse Parker Bancroft and his Family." (Tiffany Studios, l9l7) 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
• THE ANGEL OF THE LORD- there are several instances of Angels in the New Testament. Most likely, this is the angel referred to in Luke 22:43, as Jesus is at the Mount of Olives, seeking God's will, "And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him." "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Asa McFarland, One of the Founders of this church and of his Family." (Tiffany Studios, l9l5) 
   
   
   
  
• JESUS BY THE SEA OF GALILEE- Jesus is holding the shepherd's staff which reminds us of John l0:ll, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." "To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Dutton Woods and his Family. There Remainth Therefore a Rest to the People of God". (Tiffany Studios, l9l5) 
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
• CHARLES SHUTE MEMORIAL- given by his wife in February, l9ll, depicts the seal of the Royal Legion, l865, with the word "Service." - above this is the symbol of the torches, signifying faith. "In Memory of Lieut. Charles Henry Shute l838-l907, A Christian Soldier who served in the Second New Hampshire Infantry l86l-l864."

 
 
 
 
 

• FRANKLIN EVANS MEMORIAL- given by his wife in February, l9l2, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of South Church. On the upper level there is visible the anchor of hope and on the lower section is the crown of righteousness. "In Memory of Franklin Evans, Not Weary in Well Doing."
• SHEAF OF WHEAT- symbolizes the harvest and the bounty of God's creation
• ANCHOR- used by early Christians in the catacombs, reminds us of hope, "sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:l9)
• CHALICE- signifies Holy Communion
• THE CHI RHO - a monogram of the first two letters Chi (X) and Rho (P) of the Greek word for Christ
• GREEK CROSS - has arms of equal length - the circle represents Christ's halo of holiness and eternity of God

• Daisy- symbol of the innocence of the Holy Child
• Grapes- represent the blood of Christ
• Olive Branch - symbol for peace, harmony and healing
• Rock- symbol of our Lord based on I Corinthians l0:4
• Crown-" Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the Crown of Life" (Revelation 2:l0)
• Scallop Shell- symbol of pilgrimage

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