Needlework iconography

Elyria Congregational (UCC) was the first church in Elyria. This Sunday past, i visited for the second time on city wide church open house. They were most gracious and friendly. I had gone there originally to see the Tiffany stained glass. Pilgrim Congregational on West 14th Cleveland, also has Tiffany glass and a similar round seating plan.

The pews are rounded, and at progression to the back, the span of the benches become longer. All of them have a long seating cushion with scenes made with needlework. This was made by parishioners. Some scenes are flowers, others are Christian symbols, and scenes from the Bible. Some are dramatic, and not overly familiar to many people. Supra, is Jesus casting out a demon:

 And they entered into Capharnaum, and forthwith upon the sabbath days going into the synagogue, he taught them.  And they were astonished at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes.  And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God.  And Jesus threatened him, saying: Speak no more, and go out of the man.  And the unclean spirit tearing him, and crying out with a loud voice, went out of him.—Mark i. 21-6.

I am always pleasantly surprised to see a post apostolic age Catholic saint depicted in a Protestant church. Often, it is Francis of Assisi. Supra, with stigmata and bird. Infra, Saint Augustine about to be told how ridiculous it would be of him to truly understand the concept of the Trinity.

The church is worth seeing and appreciating. My nephew was outside walking the hounds, and they were invited in. We were talking, and Captain found it a good time to lay down.