Altar Tapestry
by O. Hinkel Johnson

 

 

History

In 1979, the Church Chancel Renovation Subcommittee chaired by Dawn DeLong, with the architectural consultation of Donna Lane, oversaw a new pulpit, altar, communion table and arris tapestry. They were dedicated on January 6, 1980. Dawn, Vic Appel and O. Hinkle Johnson made comments. The price of the tapestry reported in the 1980 Church

Designer/Craftsman O. Hinkel Johnson's description of the tapestry.

Tapestry Symbolism

The center symbol is the one used by the United Church of Christ. The orb with the bar and the cross rising from it with the cross of Christ the King is at the top. Green and gold fabrics were chosen because Christ was of the earth (green) and of royalty and God (gold). Put a little Christ in your life with sparkle and glow.

The lamp of knowledge in the center is a symbol of study and being prepared for the coming into God's Kingdom.

The two green-edged fish at the base of the cross represent the Christians; born of water (blue) and of woman (blue) and of the earth (green), beginning to receive Christ into their lives.

As they attain knowledge and grow and prepare (the lamp), they enter into the light of the Christian world (yellow), turn upward and take on the cross of Christ (orange). This is represented by the two gold fish on either side of the upper gold circle.

The reds on each side represent the loving outstretched arms of all Christians which makes the center the body of Christ, and all that goes on within it goes on within the body of Christ, whose parts we all are. Over this descends the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is a synbol of God’s grace and love. It may not be obvious, but just like God's grace and love, it is always there, whether we see it or not.

The colors represented stand for :

Red—for the martyrs and for all Saints,
Green—for the earth
Blue—for water baptism and for woman as it was the color of Mary, mother of Christ
Purple—the color for penance and royalty
Yellow or gold— for the light of Christ

The joy of making this banner cannot be measured and it was indeed my pleasure to have God use my hands for the gift.

May you enjoy its symbols and may they inspire you as they have me.

Thank You,

10704 Mellow Lane, Austin, Texas, 78759

Otis Hinkel Johnson was born in Michigan to William O. and Idabell Johnson in 1938, His father was a chemist. Johnson received his Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1960.

 

Tapestry Restoration Photos A group of church women and men determined that the tapestry had deteriorated over the years and, after receiving a very high bid for its restoration, decided that with the help of several highly skilled seamstresses in the church, they decided to "do it themselves." Their very successful project is chronicled in the photos below. Many thanks to them for their splendid work.