St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Ayer, Massachusetts

Faith, Community, and Love

Virtual Tour

St. Andrew's Kneelers

For St. Andrew's 100th anniversary in 1992, new kneeling cushions for the altar rail were planned by the Rev. William D. Underhill during his time as Interim Rector (1989-1991). The designs were drawn and charted by long-time parishioner Helen Priest. She then coordinated the entire project, worked closely with the needleworkers in the parish and an upholsterer who turned the fine needlework into cushions. The kneelers were consecrated by the Rev. Martha H. Giltinan at St. Andrews' Centennial Service on December 20, 1992.

Each cushion shows three symbols derived from events in the Bible, the liturgical seasons of the Church, the sacraments, and our immediate environment. The arches above the symbols represent the ceiling beams in St. Andrew's Church in Ayer. The ivy in the lower corners reminds us of the ivy that once grew up on the outside walls of the building. The initials of each needleworker are stitched on the back side panel of each kneeling cushion.


St. Andrew's Kneeler St. Andrew's Kneeler

A scallop shell, representing the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, especially Our Lord's baptism by John the Baptist; the shield of the Episcopal Church, which includes both the cross of St. George and a St. Andrew's cross; and St. John's Chapel at Groton School, which founded St. Andrew's Church in 1889.
Stitched by Priscilla H. Andrews.

The chalice and host, signifying the Sacrament of Holy Communion; the shield of St. Andrew, the patron saint of our parish, said to have been crucified on the cross Saltire; and the first bar of music from the hymn "How Great Thou Art", reminding us of the importance of music and of our choir in our parish life.
Stitched by Brenda E. Bergeson.
St. Andrew's Kneeler St. Andrew's Kneeler

The Lamb of God, representing Jesus' role as a sacrificial lamb atoning for the sins of Man; a white Easter lily, symbolizing purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life, mounted on a cross representing the Resurrection; and the brass insignia from an Army service cap, denoting St. Andrew's connection with Fort Devens.
Stitched by Ruth E. Broughton.

A crown of thorns mounted on a cross, bringing to mind Christ's Passion on the Cross; a palm branch, a symbol of triumph and victory in pre-Christian times, reminding us of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem; and an apple tree, representing the orchards in the five towns that St. Andrew's serves.
Stitched by Nancy S. Brown.
St. Andrew's Kneeler St. Andrew's Kneeler

An open Bible with two green Bible markers, green being the color of life and growth; two gold wedding rings superimposed on the Labarum, a monogram composed of the Greek letters Chi & Rho, one of the earliest symbols of Christianity; and a beehive representing the diligence and industry of our busy parish.
Stitched by Lee S. Burton.

A descending dove symbolizing Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples; the Triquetra symbol, overlaid with a hand, a fish, and a dove, denoting the Holy Trinity; and a cross with footprints representing the Good Friday Walk that takes place in the nearby town of Harvard.
Stitched by Rena Gagne.
St. Andrew's Kneeler St. Andrew's Kneeler

A serpent curled around the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, reminding us of the choices we must make in our life; a yellow lily, itself a symbol of purity, virginity and chastity, mounted on a fleur-de-lis, a symbol for the Virgin Mary; and our own St. Andrew's Church, completed in 1892.
Stitched by the Rev. Martha H. Giltinan.

Noah's Ark, reminding us of the Covenant that God made with Humankind through Noah, sealed with a rainbow; a shining star, like the one in the night sky over Bethlehem; and a Celtic Cross, like the wooden cross hanging over our altar at St. Andrew's, crafted by parishioner Robert L. Broughton (1932-1988). Stitched by Lorraine Mullen.
St. Andrew's Kneeler St. Andrew's Kneeler

A small section of Michaelangelo's "Creation of Adam", from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; a steam locomotive, representing the ever- present railroad across from St. Andrew's; and Alpha & Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying that Christ is the beginning and end of all things.
Stitched by Helen L. Priest.

Two engraved stone tablets, representing the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai; three gold crowns, representing the three wise men who arrived in Bethlehem on the day of the Epiphany; and a symbol for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Inc., founded by St. Andrew's parishioners in 1984.
Stitched by Katherine Terry.