Architecture - Chancel

The Altar shows our Lord in the center of the reredos holding the Gospel-encircled world in His almighty hand. Old Testament figures stand at His right and left: Moses, David, Solomon, Samuel, Elijah, Hilkiah, Josiah, and Aaron. In the lower panel directly behind the Crucifix, the Holy Apostles are shown in paintings of rich colors and again high above at the top of the reredos in woodcarving as martyrs now in glory.

The four Holy Evangelists with their symbols (a man, a lion, an ox, an eagle) may be seen at the top of the four posts of the reredos. The four Archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphaael, are shown in stone figures ten feet tall behind the altar and adjoining the chancel window.

Preachers of the Old Testatment era, Job and Elijah and of the New Testament, Sts. John the Baptist and Paul; and one of the Church Fathers, Bishop Chrysostom, grace the stone pulpit; and writers of Bible books, the lectern, Samuel and David, St. Luke and St. Peter. Melchizedek, Aaron, Ezekiel, and Ezra are shown on posts along the east wall chancel paneling and St. James, St. Mark, St. Stephen and Bishop Polycarp along the west.

Cherubim and Seraphim holding vestments and instruments are shown high up on the richly decorated chancel walls, while below them are the coat of arms of the signers of the Augsburg Confession, the restorers of the faith of the Apostles and Prophets.