THE ARCHITECTURE IS INFLUENCED BY THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM
OUR BUILDING
THE TRIANGLE
The equilateral triangle is a Christian symbol for the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. At Peakland Baptist, the worshipper becomes aware of being in a triangular structure which directs their attention to the mystery of God.
THE SHIP
In ecclesiastical art, the church is represented as a ship sailing toward heaven. Its “passengers” sit in the main part of the church called the “nave,” which is Latin for “ship.” The nave extends from the narthex (lobby area) to the chancel (the space around the altar). Peakland’s A-frame building is modified Gothic architecture; its exposed beams still retain the suggestion of a ship’s ribs. Looking up, the worshiper can imagine viewing the inverted hull of a ship.
THE TENT
It was during their wilderness wandering that the children of Israel carried a tent which they regarded as God’s Tabernacle for God’s people. Until the Temple was constructed in Jerusalem, the Tabernacle remained the center of worship and sacrifice for the Hebrew people. Peakland’s worship room is a tent, a tabernacle where the worshiper is invited to be aware of the presence of God.
THE TABLE
An important furnishing of a church building is the central table or altar, which symbolizes the presence of Christ. Located in the elevated part of the chancel known as the “sanctuary,” the table calls to mind Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. It re-minds the worshiper of the continued presence of Christ in the life of the church as it gathers to observe the Lord’s Supper. It was at the last Passover meal with his disciples that Jesus invested the bread and cup with emblematic meaning representing sacrifice and grace. Peakland’s beautiful central table was designed by Robert Fuller of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. It is a solid slab of white Georgain marble weighing 2600 pounds and standing on four steel dowels to create a floating effect. In form, the table follows the design of the third and forth century North African Latin churches, with the presbyter or bishop seated facing the side of the choir stalls to form with the congregation a four-sided table gathering. This calls the entire assembly of worshipers to bear wit-ness to the death of Christ “until he comes.” (I Corinthians 11:26)
THE CROSS
Suspended behind the central table and above the baptistry is a large Latin cross, the most universal of all sym-bols marking the Passion of the Christ. The cross reflects the integrity and courage of Jesus, the man and the sac-rifice that is inherent in the work of walking in the way of Christ. The emp-ty cross reflects our faith in resurrec-tion and our belief that the love of God triumphs even over death.
THE RUGS & BENCH COVERS
Since the time of the Crusades, European churches have used rugs of Middle Eastern origin in their chancels, patterning that practice from Isalmic mosques. The rugs in Peakland’s chancel are from Asia Minor and are called “Royal” or “Princess Bokhara.” The first rug was given by Charles D. North, and a second was given by Peakland’s first minister, Rev. Arthur H. Brown, Jr.
THE CANDLES
The use of candles in Christian worship is symbolic of Jesus as the Light of the World. It also reminds us that Jesus said that we are the Light of the World and should not hide our light under a bushel basket. When two candles are used, one on either side of the cross, they represent both the humanity and the divinity of Jesus.
THE BAPTISTRY
Believer’s baptism is the hallmark of Baptist witness with its focus upon adult faith. Placed beyond the table and under the cross, the baptistry symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It further dramatizes the pilgrimage of the candidate who enters the church through the baptismal waters.
THE FOUNDATION STONE
The inscription on Peakland’s foundation stone is found in Ephesians 2:20:
In Christ, the people of God are built into a holy temple, Christ Jesus, himself, being the chief cornerstone.
Peakland’s foundation stone is hand-hewn fence rock from Hope Dawn, the family farm of Sam Chambers. It was taken from a fence erected by the slaves of Thomas Jefferson, who was then building Poplar Forest. The rock is offered as an effort for redemption, part of the work of this church to repair the world. As children of God we are called to proclaim liberation to all people in Christ.