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ABOUT
THE CHAPEL
Large
Windows | East Window | North
Window | South Window | Western
Wall
Small Windows | Matthew | Mark | Luke | John
Windows
The Organ
Inside the Chapel, the Good News of God's transforming grace and
love are revealed in each of the three large stained glass
windows in the Chapel, titled "Creation", "Incarnation" and "Redemption" as
well as in the impressive western wall which draws one's attention
to the cross. The centrality of the gospel is expressed in
the other stained glass windows, each of which depicts images
from the gospel narrative. At the top of each of three pillars
is an image from one of the founding churches of the United
Church of Canada in 1925.; the burning bush represents the
Presbyterian Church in Canada, the open bible identifies the
Congregational Church, and the descending spirit shows the
Methodist church. The sailing ship completes the quartet, representing
the ecumenical movement, or the church of all people coming
together in the name of Jesus Christ.
The
Large Windows
The
East Window
Title "Creation", the grace of God is seen in the yellow,
entering into creative contact with the earth, water, and fire
represented by the browns, blues and reds of the circle, ordering
those into his royal kingdom signified by the purple. All is ablaze
with colour.
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The
North Window
This window represents "Incarnation", God's coming to
earth in human form in birth of Jesus , which is represented in
the burst of light in the upper quadrant, suggesting the resurrection
and the triumphant Christ whose love permeates the darkest reaches
of human experience and existence with new life.
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The
South Window
This window represents God's love for humanity and his sovereignty
over all things. "Redemption", which this window represents,
is seen in the colour yellow, penetrating to every corner of the
darker areas, represents the extension of God's love and grace
to all.
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The
Western Wall
The cross dominates the wall and the whole Chapel; it stands as
a constant reminder of that act by which God has demonstrated most
clearly his grace and love. The architecture of the Chapel is designed
to draw the eye to the front and from there upwards to the cross,
surrounded by thirty small panels of stained glass that illuminate
the cross.
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The Small Windows
In the
books of Ezekiel and Revelation in the Bible we find the image
of the four living creatures who surround the throne of God;
their faces are those of a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle,
representing the wisest, noblest, strongest and swiftest in all
creation. The Christian tradition has linked these to the four
evangelists, and that connection is made here.
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The
Matthew Window
On the pulpit side, the Matthew window depicts the winged man descending.
The Hebrew background to the gospel is shown in the prophetic figure
and in the twelve flames of the burning bush, the twelve tribes
of Israel and the church.
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The
Mark Window
To the right of the organ, the winged lion is seen representing
Mark. Mark's focus on the authority of Christ is seen in the crown
depicted in the window, a symbol of rule.
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The
Luke Window
The window of the gospel to the gentiles, Luke, depicts the winged
ox. Scenes from the gospels are shown, including Jesus preaching
from the boat and the parable of the sower spreading the seed.
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The
John Window
At the lectern side, the window for the gospel of John shows the
eagle, the traditional symbol of John. The passion is depicted
subtly; in the pictures of the robe for which the soldiers gambled,
dice can be seen.
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The
Organ
Built
in a period which might well be described as the height of the
modern church, the organ was installed to add musical depth to
the ongoing worship of the Chapel. The east gallery of the Chapel
embraces the choir loft and the pipe organ; the pipes rise in
splendid array to the visual as well as musical beauty as one
looks to the rear of the sanctuary.
The Chapel organ was custom built by Cassavant Frères Limitée
of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. The organ is inspired by traditional
organ building of past centuries, particularly those of the seventeenth
and eighteenth centuries. It includes a large number of imitative
or orchestral voices, and in many ways is a return to the classic
organ of the period of Bach and his contemporaries. The Chapel
organ consists of two manual divisions and a pedal division, totalling
23 stops comprised of 28 ranks of pipes. The organ has a total
of 1,563 pipes
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