Sculptures

ABOUT TRANSFIGURATION

Church Features and History
·	Church and Grounds
·	Clothes Horse/Bookstore/Library
·	Religious Art and Symbolism
	·	Labyrinth
	·	Triptych and Altar Art
	·	Shrines
	·	Stained Glass Windows
	·	Sculptures
	·	Processional Crosses
	·	Gospel and Vessels
	·	Needlepoint
	·	Vestments
Worship
Sacraments
Becoming a Member
Jubilee Capital Campaign
·	Campaign-Building Project
·	Campaign-New Organ
·	Campaign-Outreach Endowment

SCULPTURES

The Transfiguration Sculpture

Standing between two stained glass windows is the Transfiguration Sculpture entitled, "Beloved Son." Designed by Dallas sculptor David Hart Holder, it depicts the two events in our Lord's life when his identity as the Son of God was mystically revealed. The lower section is the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and the upper section represents the transfiguration of Jesus. Of his work, Holder writes, "In the baptism, I tried to represent the humanity of Christ. John is kneeling out of reverence for Christ. The ripples of water radiating from Christ are the message of salvation that he brought to the world. In the transfiguration, I tried to show the power and love of God by using the thirteen rays of hope which represent Christ and his disciples. The robe of Christ is open to represent the opening of one's self to the will of God and the power of the Holy Spirit."

The Christus Rex
The Christus Rex hangs above the front doors of the narthex. This piece was worked by northern Italian woodcarvers and depicts the figure of Christ crowned as King of kings and Lord of lords.

The Font

Through the glass entrance doors of the narthex, you will see the Font, designed by Charlotte and William Hallett of Amesbury, Massachusetts, artists also of the Transfiguration Triptych and Altar.

The bowl of the font is egg-shaped, modeled and textured similarly to a mussel shell. It is filled with water that provides a gentle tumbling over bronze rocks into the pool itself. The image sought is that of living water, water that is active, and is reminiscent of the water of baptism, through which we are washed and reborn into the Body of Christ.

Inside the pool are bronze fish and shells, guaranteed to delight young and old alike. The fish appear to move because of the rippling effect of the moving water. At the hinge of the shell, toward one end, stands the archangel Raphael in swirling cope and vestments. Clasped in his hands is a staff with which he pierces the ground at his feet. The staff reminds us of Moses' staff with its serpent top, and its use reminds us of the striking of the rock event recorded in scripture when water poured forth to quench the thirst of God's fractious people.

The presence of the archangel Raphael is reminiscent of the healing of the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda. The pious legend was that an angel stirred up the waters of the pool on occasions. The first person to enter the pool after such an event received miraculous healing (read John 5.) It is this coupling of healing with baptism that teaches such a powerful lesson. Consider the relationship between healing and baptism. The action of God in baptism is to heal or absolve us of our sins, make us members of Christ's Body on earth, the Church, and heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven. There is healing here for the world's ills.

Water is often found in fonts and "stoops" at the doors of churches. It is provided for the faithful to touch with their fingers before making the sign of the cross. This action is a reminder of the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

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