St. James Art & Architecture
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In 2000, a vision of Fr. Ray Rhoden was to offer a place of contemplative prayer using the grounds on the Walnut street side of the church.
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When the prayer walk was added in 2000, on the Walnut street side of the church statues of Mary and Jesus were a wonderful addition to this contemplative prayer path.
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A final touch to our renovation was the addition of a statue of Mary in the sanctuary.
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Another of the many changes that occurred between 2006 and 2007 was the addition of a children's room to accommodate the many young families of the parish. This enabled the children to see and hear the celebration of the mass in the comfort of the glass enclosed room to the left of the sanctuary.
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This is a beautiful view of our sanctuary. The choir is to the right with the children's room and special seating to the left.
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In the Narthex or vestibule, the Family Window depicts society’s need
of Christ. The Church is the Family of God, embracing all races of
peoples. The Rosary is the prayer whereby we unite the glories, joys
and sorrows of our lives with those of Christ and His beloved Mother.
The wedding rings are symbols of marital fidelity and love. The book is
a representation of the mission of the People of God as teacher. The
ribbon is symbolic of the binding together of humanity in the spirit of
Christian love. From the Chi Rho, a traditional symbol of Christ
emanates the light of grace. |
In 2007 a new tabernacle was obtained and placed behind the main altar.
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This view is showing the center aisle of the church. The main body of the church seats over 1200.
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To the right of the entrance to St. James is a courtyard garden. The center piece of this garden is a copper-enamel statue of St. James installed during construction of the church in 1968.
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Welcome to Saint James Parish, the love of Christ in the heart of Sewickley.
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At the front sanctuary wall, we see a 40 foot high relief sculpture of Christ the Teacher rising dramatically behind the altar. This sculpture took approximately two months to complete and contains over 4 tons of plaster.
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Bear Wrongs Patiently; Forgive All
Injuries and Pray for the Living and the Dead. |
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Continuing toward the front of the church we see Counsel the
Doubtful; Comfort the sorrowful. |
The Spiritual Works of Mercy are depicted beginning with Admonish the Sinner located above the entrance door in the back of the church on the north wall. Instruct the Ignorant is pictured in the window over the entrance doorway from the main vestibule.
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Moving toward the back of the church from the Sanctuary along the north wall: Clothe the Naked; Visit the Imprisoned; Bury the Dead; Visit the Sick and Shelter the Homeless.
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In the Baptistry window, we see the cleansing waters of Baptism displayed with the decent of the Holy Spirit and all His gifts for those who partake of this sacrament.
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The large window facing north of the Altar of Sacrifice, window panels depict the 1st two of the seven practices of charity or Corporal Works of Mercy toward our neighbor, based on Christ’s prophecy of the Last Judgment, that will determine each person’s final destiny - Mt 25:34: To Feed the Hungry; Give Drink to the Thirsty
In the center panel of the large window a Chalice with rays emanating into the panels on either side depicts our spiritual food and drink as coming from Christ our Savior through the Eucharist.
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In the Narthex or vestibule, the Family Window depicts society’s need of Christ. The Church is the Family of God, embracing all races of peoples. The Rosary is the prayer whereby we unite the glories, joys and sorrows of our lives with those of Christ and His beloved Mother. The wedding rings are symbols of marital fidelity and love. The book is a representation of the mission of the People of God as teacher. The ribbon is symbolic of the binding together of humanity in the spirit of Christian love. From the Chi Rho, a traditional symbol of Christ emanates the light of grace.
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The windows in the church were made with handmade glass from in Germany and France. The large window above the baptistery represents the Transfiguration of Christ when He transfigured himself before the apostles, Saint James and SS. Peter and Paul. The Transfiguration of Christ is the culminating point of His public life, as His Baptism is its starting point, and His Ascension its end. Matthew (17:1-6) |
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