Stations Of The Cross

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. John’s,  

As I am sure all of you are aware by now, our merger with St. Martin’s brought a number of wonderful things to St. John’s.  First among them, of course, are the people of St. Martin’s who have made St. John’s their new spiritual home.  We continue to cherish their presence.  We also acquired some beautiful and meaningful furniture, vestments, and sacred objects.  Among these are the 14 Stations of the Cross.  They are original works of art commissioned By St. Martin’s in 1982 by the Artist Fritz Jacobsen.            

Our plan is to put them up in the sanctuary on a permanent basis, as do most churches I have visited.  The reasons to have them up permanently is twofold.  One, the panels of the Stations are truly remarkable works of art, and I believe the beauty and sanctity of our sanctuary would be amplified.  Second, the panels are surprisingly heavy and will have to be professionally mounted.  Because of this taking them down would look awkward as there would clearly be a “something missing” look to the walls.     The Stations of the Cross we currently have were put together a few years ago by the Altar Guild.  As these are meaningful to us as well, we will of course keep them and find them a new home elsewhere in the Church.  I am very open to suggestions of where this they might go.

In the discussions I have been having with Parish Council and with others, the question has come up what we then do with the large tapestries on the sanctuary wall in the north-west corner?  (See the picture above).  Given the artistic difference in material and style others and I feel it might be time to take the tapestries down and find them a new home as well.  I also think being able to space out the panels evenly would give them a more dramatic effect.  At the same time I am aware that the tapestries may also have special meaning to some and that they would want them to remain in place. 

Given that whatever we decide will make a large difference to the look of our sanctuary walls, I am seeking your thoughts on this matter.  Please call me (778-989-7176) or email me (priest.sjnv@telus.net) or let me know in-person.  I really would like to hear from you all, and I thank you in advance for your time and consideration on this matter.

Yours in Christ, The Rev. Patrick Blaney