1. Reredos
The carved wooden screen behind the altar provides a visual focus for worship.
Symbols of Faith at St. Peter’s
Explore the sacred furnishings and spaces that shape our worship, from the altar and carved woodwork to the places where our congregation gathers.
Inside the sanctuaryExplore the floor planChurch symbolsWho wears what?Inside the sanctuary
The sanctuary contains the altar and places for the ministers. The numbered photograph identifies the furnishings in this view.
2. Altar cross
The cross stands at the center of the sanctuary’s woodwork.
3. Altar candles
Candles and brass candlesticks flank the cross and floral arrangements.
4. Icons
Religious images stand on either side of the altar.
5. Altar rail
The carved rail marks the boundary of the sanctuary.
6. Kneelers
Red cushions provide a place to kneel at the altar rail.
7. Altar
The table used for the celebration of Holy Communion.
Clergy seating · Sedilia
Two chairs stand beside the altar, outside this photograph’s view. Their approximate locations appear on the floor plan below.
Explore the church
Follow the center aisle from the narthex through the nave toward the chancel and sanctuary. The vestry is on the left, and the sacristy and chapel are on the right.
Open larger floor plan ↗
Symbols that tell our story
Christian art gives visible form to faith. These traditional meanings offer a starting point for looking at the furnishings and artwork at St. Peter’s.
The cross
The cross recalls Jesus’ death and the hope of resurrection. An empty cross proclaims the risen Christ; a crucifix includes the figure of Jesus and emphasizes his self-giving love.
The name of Jesus
IHS is a monogram formed from the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek. Seen on crosses and church furnishings, it directs our attention to Christ. The Latin phrase Iesus Hominum Salvator, “Jesus, Savior of humankind,” is a later interpretation.
The eagle lectern
At the front right of the church, the eagle supports the Bible for the reading of Scripture. The eagle is also the traditional symbol of St. John, whose Gospel lifts our attention to the divine life of Christ.
The rose window & stained glass
A rose window is a circular stained-glass window with a radiating, flowerlike design. As a devotional reflection, its circle can suggest eternity and its colored light can invite us to think of God’s beauty. Figures and emblems within stained glass tell their own biblical stories. The twelve outer circles offer a way to reflect on the twelve apostles gathered around Christ.
Candles & light
The candles beside the altar remind us of Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12). Their light accompanies the congregation’s prayer and worship.
The baptismal font & water
Near the back of the nave, the baptismal niche reminds us of our entry into the Christian life. The water of Baptism speaks of cleansing, new birth, and sharing in Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).
Faith written in glass
The IHS monogram appears in the left window in this photograph, echoing the name of Jesus on our cross. The floral design in its companion window adds another expression of beauty to the nave.
Hope & our biblical roots
The anchor is a traditional Christian emblem of hope, recalling Hebrews 6:19. The six-pointed star is widely known as the Star of David; in a Christian setting, it can invite reflection on the Jewish roots of our faith.
Symbols of the Pulpit
The illustrated panels shown here are based on the needlework at St. Peter’s. The winged figures traditionally associated with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John draw on the living creatures in Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4. They help us recognize the four voices that proclaim one Gospel of Jesus Christ.
St. Matthew · Winged human figure
The winged human figure, often called an angel, recalls Jesus’ humanity. Matthew begins his Gospel with Jesus’ genealogy.
St. Mark · Winged lion
The lion recalls the powerful voice crying in the wilderness at the opening of Mark’s Gospel.
St. Luke · Winged ox
The ox is a traditional symbol of sacrifice and service. Luke begins with Zechariah serving in the Temple.
St. John · Eagle
The eagle evokes the spiritual heights of John’s Gospel and its vision of Jesus as the eternal Word.
St. Peter · The cross & keys
The inverted cross recalls the tradition that Peter asked to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. The crossed keys recall Christ’s promise to Peter in Matthew 16:19. Together, they express our patron saint’s humility, faithful witness, and service.
Learn more: National Altar Guild Association: Christian symbolism; the meaning of IHS; the four Evangelists; rose windows.
Who wears what in worship?
The robes and other garments used in worship are called vestments. They help identify a person’s ministry and connect today’s worship with the Church’s long tradition. At St. Peter’s, white and cream are the robe colors most often seen. Our choir wears black cassocks with white surplices over them, and our acolytes wear cream or white albs with rope belts. Other garments vary with the minister’s role and the service.
Clergy · priests & deacons
An alb is a long white or cream robe. Over it, an ordained minister wears a stole: a long band of fabric. A priest’s stole hangs from both shoulders; a deacon’s crosses diagonally from the left shoulder. The priest celebrating the Eucharist may also wear a chasuble, a broad outer garment.
Choir · Cassock & surplice
At St. Peter’s, choir members wear a black cassock, the long robe underneath, covered by a white surplice, the loose garment with wide sleeves. Their shared dress expresses their common ministry of leading the congregation in song.
Lectors · readers
Lectors proclaim the Scripture readings assigned to lay readers. Depending on local custom, they may wear ordinary church clothing, an alb, or a cassock and surplice. Their ministry is identified by the reading they offer, rather than by one required style of robe.
Acolytes · Alb & cincture
At St. Peter’s, acolytes wear cream or white albs, long robes secured with a rope belt called a cincture. Acolytes assist at the altar and may carry the processional cross or candles.
Bishops
A bishop may wear the Eucharistic vestments used by a priest, together with a mitre, the pointed ceremonial hat. A crozier, shaped like a shepherd’s staff, expresses pastoral care. A pectoral cross is worn on the chest. For some services, a bishop wears a white rochet with a sleeveless chimere over it.
Why the colors change
Vestments and altar hangings follow the seasons and feasts of the Church year. White or gold expresses celebration; green, growth; purple, penitence and preparation; and red, the Holy Spirit and the witness of martyrs. Blue is also used for Advent in some parishes.
White / goldGreenPurpleRedBlue
More liturgical attire: cope, tippet, dalmatic & clerical collar
- Cope
- A long ceremonial cape fastened at the chest, used for processions and other solemn services.
- Tippet
- A broad black preaching scarf, often worn over cassock and surplice for Morning or Evening Prayer. It differs from the colored stole used by ordained ministers.
- Dalmatic
- An outer garment with sleeves, traditionally worn by a deacon at the Eucharist.
- Clerical collar
- The white collar worn with a clerical shirt identifies clergy in daily life. It is distinct from the robes worn for a service.
Illustrated reading: Anglican Vestments (Robes) and Clericals Explained, adapted by the Rt. Rev. Thomas A. Corston. The descriptions above reflect St. Peter’s practices alongside common Episcopal usage.
Reference: The Episcopal Church’s glossary; Grace Episcopal Cathedral’s acolyte handbook; All Saints’ worship guide; a guide to liturgical colors.
St. Peter’s · Church floor planClose enlarged view ×
St. Peter’s eagle lectern · Enhanced photographClose photograph ×
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