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Glass artisan Mark Fowler with pulpit, cross and table

Craftsmanship in the new sanctuary

Historically, churches have been the keepers of fine craftsmanship to show reverence to God. In the design of the new St. Paul sanctuary, we bring our very best to God in worship.

Architect Paul Barribeau has designed liturgical furnishings that echo the strong and graceful curves of the trusses, tying high and low together. Three local artisans have collaborated on the craftsmanship — Jay Stratton in wood, Mark Fowler in the glass accents, and Mike Boyler in metalwork.

The large communion table invites people to share in the goodness of the Lord’s Supper. Crafted of quarter-sawn oak and inlaid with walnut, the altar table shows how the artisan did his precise and thoughtful best for a well-served meal.

The pulpit or reading desk provides one central place for reading scripture, preaching, and announcements. This simplicity of one central pulpit indicates that we don’t elevate clergy over congregational members in the proclamation of the Word at St. Paul. Wood craftsman Jay Stratton has cleverly built the pulpit with a sensitivity to modern technology. The recessed microphone is fully adjustable to short and tall readers.

The solid bronze cross, accented with small squares of red glass, is mounted on the oak raredos, the partition wall behind the table. Yet to come is the baptismal font. The large bowl, now being crafted in Wisconsin, will hold a substantial quantity of circulating water, suggesting a river of living water in keeping with our deep understanding of Christian baptism.

Feel free to step onto the platform and take a closer look at the table, pulpit and cross — all crafted with such care. The wood grain on the table’s top surface radiates outward with the love of God.

The large processional doors make a bold statement about entry. “When you step into the house of the Lord, something marvelous and mysterious happens,” says Pastor Marty. This is the threshold between the world and the dwelling place of God.

The architect designed these 10-foot doors, each weighing 320 pounds, with 95 simulated “pegs” to mimic the 95 Theses that Martin Luther posted on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany, in 1546. In those days, the church doors functioned like a community bulletin board. Here Luther nailed his protests against the abuses of the medieval church, and his demands for a new way — the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation.

The sanctuary dazzles in the morning sun with the story of Jesus, told in the beauty of restored stained glass windows.