What is a church building to represent? Is it merely a meeting place, or does its form speak to our belief of what the church means to the world? The church which shuts in the congregation and shuts out the world, either architecturally or spiritually, is not relevant to our day. Hence, the openness of construction of this building. While in the sanctuary, one can still catch glimpses of the outside world, a reminder that this is where our Christian witness must be made.
This sanctuary was actually constructed around the altar. The five-ton stone was put into position first, for ease in construction; then the walls were erected around it. With such a tent-like structure of concrete, there is an interesting coincidence with the ancient Jewish custom of buiulding their altar first, then erecting the tabernacle tent around it.
Once inside the building, the screen and cross become a point of attention. The screen is made up of individual concrete blocks, each representing a man. The artist used the ancient stick-form for man; the two triangles indicate the head direction, perhaps eyes. These blocks or men are placed looking in all directions, representing man's eternal search for God. And where does man finally find God? In the sanctuary, where God chooses to reveal Himself.
Why have a cross in the church? What should be its meaning? Certainly not simply for decoration - which is the total meaning for some people. For the committed Christian, the cross represents a way of life. "If any would be my disciple, let him take up his cross daily and follow me." So the cross must be the focal point of one's daily life.
Therefore, the cross is not dainty, beautiful, nor decorative. It was conceived as a way of life, rooted on the level of daily events; hence, it is placed directly on the floor, and is man-sized. Each of us must relate ourselves to the way of the cross. Lest it be too overwhelming and forebidding, the artist used wood that had light and dark grain within it. For a Christian, no cross is ever completely dark. There is always the light of God's purpose and presence. He makes all things work for good. Similarly, light can be seen behind it through the openings in the arms and central juncture. We can see beyond the cross that God may lay upon us, just as our crucified Lord could look beyond the cross of Calvary to the light of God's redemptive work and promise of Easter or eternal life. The name of the wood itself is significant in this respect. It is called vitae lignum, or "Tree of Life." How true it is that by the cross we receive life!
So far, we have said little about the most obvious fact in the church's faith, that the cross represents God's self-giving to us in Jesus Christ. This is God's offering to those who accept and believe. However, man must make his response of thanksgiving for what God has done. This is symbolized by our offering plates, which are made of the same tree of the cross. There is a very close connection between God's gift of Himself to us and our response in our offering to Him.
In our catechism, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit works through the Word and Sacraments. There are only four items made of stone in the chancel: the lectern and pulpit, where the Word of God is read and preached; and the altar and baptismal font, where the sacraments of the Lord's Supper and Holy Baptism are administered. Lectern, pulpit, font, and altar are made of stone as it is broken out of the quarry, with a minimum of tooling on them. It is a silent reminder that the Word and Sacrament are God's gifts to us, which are permanent as stone.
Finally, the windows. They represent the tongues of flame of the Holy Spirit. Light comes to us through the Holy Spirit, the Counselor who will bring all things to our remembrance, and will interpret to us the scriptures. Similarly, we look upon the world, not through our natural eyes or understanding, but through the light of the Spirit. The world looks different when seen through the Holy Spirit. All men are persons and not things to manipulated. We see what we are to do when the Holy Spirit sheds His light upon us. The concrete mullions in which the glass is placed form the chi rho, the Greek symbol for Christ, who promised us the Holy Spirit.
The narthex window reinforces the great commission of our Lord: "Go ye, therefore, into all the world" Gathering strength from the cross on Mount Zion, hope from the promises of the Old Testament (scroll), and inspiration from the fulfillments of those promises in the New Testament (book), we scatter as Christ's witnesses (crosses) as we go our separate ways.
Why the open pews? They are keeping with the open feeling of the church. Why non-painted concrete? You will notice that everything is used in its honest form: glass to see through, wood grain, stone as it came from the quarry, concrete that is concrete. Does this not suggest to us that we stand before God in all honesty, stripped of any pretense we make before other people? Why is the building different? First, the church is different; its message is unique. Secondly, we are living in an age of change. Let the church take the lead, not just in architecture, but in the struggle for the souls of men!
Architect: Wm. P. Wenzler, A.I.A.
Chancel Appointments: Karl Giehl
Window Design: Prof. Peter Recker
Narthex Windows: Conrad Schmitt Studios