Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-01
CARVED BY A CLERGYMAN.
An Elaborate Altar and Reredos Placed
I'm the Incarnation Church.

An interesting work has been in progress,
during the past week in the Church Of the In
carnation. This has been the erection OF an
altar and reredos, which perhaps together
form one Of the most elaborate specimens Of
wood carving in the city. The design va
specially made for this church, and II ais a.
most the entire wall space in the rear Of the
chancel. The reredos, % the structure above
the altar in Episcopal churches is termed, il
high, and win have an imposing appearance.
The woods used are Of different kinds. and the
carving, while elaborate in detail and rich in
effect, Il subordinate to the general design of
the entire work. Large oil paintings find q
color, whether in the paintings or in the wood
work, are in perfect harmony. The theme Of
the entire design Il the doctrine Of the Incar-
nation. The altar table, upon which the sacra-
ment is celebrated, is supported by two pillars
with carved capitals, the pillars being symbolic
cal Of the two-fold nature Of Christ. Upon the
front, deeply cut, 10 . beautifully repre-
sentation Of wheat and grape vine, emblens
Of the bread and wine. On the left
are the words my Body" and on the right
in another manner. The cross, in the severest
form OF an unadorned Greek cross, 10 used a.
the symbol Of suffering and redemption, with
the rays Of victory and the Greek initials Of
the MANS Of Jesus in Q circle in the center.
The eros: rests upon 2 section Of the globe Of
red, . symbol Of the blood by which atone
ment was secured. The figures Of two angels
carved in bold alto-relievo are represented in
the posture Of alteration. In the reliable
above the altar are carved the words "Holy,
Holy, Holy"
THE PAINTINGS m THE PANE1s.
As the historical witnesses Of thu doctrinal
NM - ~ v1 - - r.,
evangelists are placed in the PANELS to the
right and left Of the altar. These are life-sise
figures In groups Of two. Above these are
monochrome paintings representing incidents
in the life Of Christ. One represents the birth
Of Christ; and from the manager the light
shines out upon the groups Of shepherds and
the wise men. The other picture represents
and the women Of Jerusalem lamenting. High
above, in the central part Of the work, is q
large painting representing the completion Of
the story Of the Incarnation. Christ is shown
as sitting upon the rainbow with the globe
under his feet-Heaven His throne and the
earth His footstool. As both ruler Of the uni
verse and high priest Of His people, He Is rep
resented as bearing the scepter in His right
hand and censor, with the rising cloud Of in
cense in His left hand. Upon His breast is q
breast-plate containing precious stones as SYM
bols of the twelve tribes OF Israel. His head is
encircled by a crown of stars, twelve in num-
Der, this being the number Of the churches in
the Scriptures. Beneath the feet of this figure,
on field Of blue, is the dove, the symbol Of
the Holy Spirit, which hovers above the symbol
OF the church, namely, grape vine carved in
Iowrelief and growing, as it were, from the very
foot OF the cross, its branches spreading out
above the reliable with birds having their nests
in its branches. Above the painting Of Christ,
in the triangular space Of the central part Of
the reredos, is the ever-open eye, the symbol
Of the Father completing the suggestion of the
Holy Trinity. Over all, annunciation lilies,
used as crockets four on each side, mount up
to the cross, which is Of form to express vic
tory, triumph and glory.
THE ARTIST.
This elaborate piece of work was both con-
ceived and executed by Rev. Johannes A. Ger
tel He is an artist who has studied the cor
relative branches of art as expressed in sculp-
ture and in wood carving He was for several
years Q resident of this city, and connected
with the parish Of the Church of the Incarna-
ton. He is now in charge of the art school
connected with Watkins Institute, in Nashville,
Tenn. This work is memorial of two of the
deceased members Of the parish. The altar is
In memory of Miss Zaidee Per Lee, who was an
active member of the church and loved
teacher in the Sunday school. The reredos is
a tribute to the memory Of Matthew G. Emery,
jr., member of the vestry, whose early death,
a little over year ago, was deeply mourned by
large circle Of friends. The first service in
the church since the erection of the new altar
and reredos will be held next Sabbath. Mon
day evening special service will be held, and
Rev. MIR. Oertel will deliver an address.