Jun 19, 2020
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Dominating the eastern gable is a faceted-glass window 66 feet wide, showing John baptizing Jesus. In the other direction, overlooking the chancel area, is a stone wall with a crucifix, on which the figure of Jesus stretches his hands in welcome. Along the walls, 38 smaller windows depict the sacraments, the evangelists and mysteries of the rosary. The church tabernacle is lined with wood-carved panels from both testaments.
St. John the Baptist Church presents a low profile to toney Bayview Drive, offering few clues to the many artworks inside.
Wood, stone and faceted glass combine in the interior design at St. John the Baptist Church.
The main crucifix at St. John the Baptist Church shows Jesus with arms outstretched rather than nailed to the cross. It therefore combines images of his death and resurrection.
Angels joyfully whip up the Jordan River as Jesus is baptized, in a window that fills the east gable at St. John the Baptist Church.
This ornate bell is rung as Mass begins at St. John the Baptist Church.
Melchisedech offers sacrifices to God in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church. The Bible says that Melchisedech was king of Salem, the predecessor of Jerusalem, during Abraham's lifetime.
Two symbols of Christ, a fish and the Bread of Life, join with the River of Life in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
A lamb, symbolizing Christ, bears a victory banner in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
Jesus feeds 5,000 people from a boy's meager donation in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
Two deer drink from a brook in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
An anchor, symbolizing hope, rests on a fortress in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church. Behind the anchor are the initials IHS, Latin for Iesus Hominum Salvator, or Jesus, Savior of Men.
Two doves drink from a fountain in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
Lightning strikes two tablets and turns them into the Ten Commandments in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
This window retells the story of Joseph and Mary bringing the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Two doves were a standard sacrificial offering for poor people.
A cross blends with an 'M,' showing Jesus' intimate connection with Mary. An Easter lily stands for their purity.
A simple scroll illustrates the Word of God.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary overlooks the south entrance . . .
. . . while the Sacred Heart of Christ overlooks the north entrance.
Three fish, representing Jesus, swirl over a Star of David, showing his Jewish heritage.
Scales and a sword in this window remind worshipers of God's role as righteous judge.
A fish wraps around an anchor, standing for stability. Above and below the two objects are the Greek letters Iota, Chi, Omega, Upsilon and Sigma, They spell out the Greek word "Ichthus," or "Fish." But they're also an acronym for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior."
Two crowns -- one of gold, one of thorns -- emphasize both Jesus' suffering and exaltation.
A pillar and two whips stand as a reminder of Christ's suffering.
A cross stands in the Eucharistic chalice, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice.
Jesus ascends, having conquered the grave, and receives a kingly crown and scepter.
As worshipers leave St. John the Baptist Church, they see three final reminders of the Trinity in the windows about the three eastern doorways. They illustrate God the Father as a hand reaching down . . .
. . . God the Son as a victorious lamb . . .
. . . and God the Holy Spirit as a descending dove.
A curly-haired statue of St. John the Baptist stands in front of the church office. True to the Book of Matthew, the statue has him clad in camel hair. But worshipers have added rosaries, one around his neck, one in his left hand.
Wood, stone and faceted glass combine in the interior design at St. John the Baptist Church.
The main crucifix at St. John the Baptist Church shows Jesus with arms outstretched rather than nailed to the cross. It therefore combines images of his death and resurrection.
Angels joyfully whip up the Jordan River as Jesus is baptized, in a window that fills the east gable at St. John the Baptist Church.
This ornate bell is rung as Mass begins at St. John the Baptist Church.
Melchisedech offers sacrifices to God in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church. The Bible says that Melchisedech was king of Salem, the predecessor of Jerusalem, during Abraham's lifetime.
Two symbols of Christ, a fish and the Bread of Life, join with the River of Life in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
A lamb, symbolizing Christ, bears a victory banner in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
Jesus feeds 5,000 people from a boy's meager donation in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
Two deer drink from a brook in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
An anchor, symbolizing hope, rests on a fortress in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church. Behind the anchor are the initials IHS, Latin for Iesus Hominum Salvator, or Jesus, Savior of Men.
Two doves drink from a fountain in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
Lightning strikes two tablets and turns them into the Ten Commandments in this woodcut, one of 10 flanking the Tabernacle at St. John the Baptist Church.
This window retells the story of Joseph and Mary bringing the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem. Two doves were a standard sacrificial offering for poor people.
A cross blends with an 'M,' showing Jesus' intimate connection with Mary. An Easter lily stands for their purity.
A simple scroll illustrates the Word of God.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary overlooks the south entrance . . .
. . . while the Sacred Heart of Christ overlooks the north entrance.
Three fish, representing Jesus, swirl over a Star of David, showing his Jewish heritage.
Scales and a sword in this window remind worshipers of God's role as righteous judge.
A fish wraps around an anchor, standing for stability. Above and below the two objects are the Greek letters Iota, Chi, Omega, Upsilon and Sigma, They spell out the Greek word "Ichthus," or "Fish." But they're also an acronym for "Jesus Christ, God's Son, Savior."
Two crowns -- one of gold, one of thorns -- emphasize both Jesus' suffering and exaltation.
A pillar and two whips stand as a reminder of Christ's suffering.
A cross stands in the Eucharistic chalice, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice.
Jesus ascends, having conquered the grave, and receives a kingly crown and scepter.
As worshipers leave St. John the Baptist Church, they see three final reminders of the Trinity in the windows about the three eastern doorways. They illustrate God the Father as a hand reaching down . . .
. . . God the Son as a victorious lamb . . .
. . . and God the Holy Spirit as a descending dove.
A curly-haired statue of St. John the Baptist stands in front of the church office. True to the Book of Matthew, the statue has him clad in camel hair. But worshipers have added rosaries, one around his neck, one in his left hand.
Photography: JIM DAVIS | FC
