SMM+S

jimmcginlay

Striking RC Church in Hope Street, Falkirk.

Sculptor: Unknown
The sculptures are reminiscent of Hew Lorimer's work but I haven't found any reference to them in Lorimer's synopsis.

St. Francis

The spear like stone sections which divide the stained glass windows are a real feature and are reminiscent of the pattern created by the wings of the angels on the right panel of the famous Wilton Diptych. I have no idea if this was an inspiration for the architect and it would be interesting to find out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilton_diptych

The facade with its striking windows feature the sculptures of the Four Evangelists, a common theme in Christian iconography and often found in church facades, particularly the carved tympanums of medieval churches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Evangelists

St. Matthew: Often mistaken for an angel he is portrayed as a man for being the apostle of humanity and reason.

St. Mark; portrayed as a lion, symbolic of courage and regality.

St. Luke, his symbol is an ox, bull or calf, representing sacrifice, service and strength.

St. John; represented by the eagle, symbolic of the sky and his higher level of theology.

St Francis & Xavier's website with a good picture of the stained glass windows.
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stfx.info/stained.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stfx.info/&usg=__eB-TQ8U-KElFZQQG-sj-mN1SYrU=&h=381&w=600&sz=40&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=r2Q7KGgRNqnL9M:&tbnh=86&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dst%2Bfrancis%2Bfalkirk%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1%26ie%3DUTF-8

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

Jim

Thanks that's very interesting about the symbolism for the saints

Lion - St Mark
Ox / Bull / Calf - St Luke
Eagle - St John

I must look again at local churches to see if there is any of this symbolism.

Regards

Adam
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Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project