Timothy Lutheran Church Tower Reliefs, (sculpture).

Timothy Lutheran Church Tower Reliefs, (sculpture).

Fitz-Gerald, Clark Battle, 1917-2004, sculptor.

Timothy Lutheran Church Tower Reliefs, (sculpture).

Digital Reference:

12 reliefs. Each: approx. H. 1 1/2 ft. x W. 1 ft.

Twelve small metal reliefs representing the twelve disciples of Christ are installed on the tower of the former Timothy Lutheran Church. The twelve reliefs are installed amid a vine and leaf motif on the south, east, and west sides of the tower. On the south side of the tower, from top to bottom, the relief of crossed fishes symbolizes the disciple Andrew; the relief of three shells symbolizes James the Greater; the relief of two crossed keys symbolizes Peter; the relief of three flaying knives symbolizes Bartholomew; the relief of a cross and a square symbolizes Philip; and the relief of a chalice and a serpent symbolizes John. On the east side of the tower, from top to bottom, the relief of a fish on a boat hook symbolizes Simon; the relief of a battle axe symbolizes Matthew; the relief of pieces of silver and rope symbolizes Judas; and the relief of an arrow and spears symbolizes Thomas. On the west side of the tower, the relief of a saw symbolizes James the Lessor and the relief of a ship symbolizes Jude.

Religion -- New Testament -- Disciples

Religion -- New Testament -- Andrew

Religion -- New Testament -- James

Religion -- New Testament -- Peter

Religion -- New Testament -- Bartholomew

Religion -- New Testament -- Philip

Religion -- New Testament -- John

Religion -- New Testament -- Simon

Religion -- New Testament -- Matthew

Religion -- New Testament -- Judas

Religion -- New Testament -- Thomas

Religion -- New Testament -- James

Religion -- New Testament -- Jude

Outdoor Sculpture -- Illinois -- Chicago

Learn Charter School - Hunter Park Campus, 1700 West 83rd Street, Tower facade, Chicago, Illinois 60620

Formerly in the collection of Timothy Lutheran Church, 1700 West 83rd Street, Chicago, Illinois 60620

There are a total of twenty-one metal reliefs installed in two groups on the facade of the former Timothy Lutheran Church. The metal reliefs --twelve small reliefs on the tower and nine larger reliefs over the entrance --were installed in 1961 during the renovation and expansion of Timothy Lutheran Church. In 2011, Learn Charter School purchased the Timothy Lutheran Church property, and the metal reliefs installed on the facade were included in the property sale. The online images are from photographs taken at the time of the installation in 1961. (There is no individual image of the lower relief of a ship symbolizing Jude installed on the west side of the tower.) Representations of the reliefs appeared on numerous church bulletins and programs. IAS files contain a copy of a small church publication titled "Explanation of Symbols."

Inventory Staff, 2011.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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