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From the beginning of its history in 1834, The Baptist Temple has met in unique and functional buildings. The present edifice, dedicated in 1965, was designed by Harold E. Wagoner, a world-renowned architect. During his career he designed hundreds of churches in the United States, Bermuda, and Nova Scotia.
The symbolism in our building is an attempt of the architect and the building committee to make a monumental expression of our Christian faith in the contemporary motif of our age. The endeavor has been to construct a building that would speak of God and His people in the language of our age rather than in historical styles of previous generations. In many unique ways our church building symbolizes our Baptist faith in God and our understanding of the fellowship which should exist among His people.
At the rear of the Chapel is the Conference Room, regularly used for medium-sized meetings or as extra seating for the Chapel.
One of the most unique rooms in style is the Fellowship Hall. It was designed to provide warm, intimate atmosphere for Sunday School classes and discussion meetings, but also large enough for larger meetings, receptions and dinners. The shape of the room, plus the balcony, maintains the feeling of warmth and of closeness. A large well-equipped kitchen is adjacent to the Hall. The huge fireplace is central and the large windows add light and a view of the rare fern-leafed beech tree, one of the largest of this variety in the Eastern U.S.
Here you will find a comfortable lounge where you can relax in a friendly and welcoming environment. It can be a quiet area for reading and reflection or a pleasant area for Christian Fellowship.
Inside the Sanctuary the purpose has been to let its furnishings and adornment speak with magnificent simplicity concerning our faith. The massive marble of the Communion Table, Baptistry, and Pulpit testify that these are basic, unchanging parts of worship in the Baptist Tradition. The relation of the Pews to the Pulpit, Communion Table and the Choir is such so as to create the impression that all who are in the room are equally a part of the gathering of God's people. While the Pastor and the Choir are in the front facing the congregation every effort has been made to create the feeling they are a part of the gathered congregation and not people who have been set apart.
The great Marble Communion Table is the focal point of vision. This table stands as a constant reminder that in Jesus Christ we have communion with God and with one another. The Cross hangs in simple splendor above the communion table. The Pulpit is not pushed to the side, but is put in a prominent place, near and forward from the communion Table. This underscores the importance of the preaching of God's word. The Baptistry unites with the window wall of stained glass and indicates an entry into the Sanctuary through the baptismal waters. The off-set line of bricks on the front wall lift one's eyes upward to the Cross and heavenward. The Pulpit bears the inscription: "I am the light of the World", (John 8:12) and "Worship in Spirit and Truth" (John 4:23). The Lectern has the words: "Come and hear, all you who fear God." (Psalm 66:16)
The doors leading into our sanctuary bear the symbol of the fish. The fish was a symbol by which the early Christians, under persecution, secretly identified themselves to one another. In Greek, the first letters of the words "Jesus Christ, son of God, Savior" spelled "fish." Installed in the partitions between the doors are the Memorial Medallions from our former church. These windows depict Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Paul and three renditions of Jesus from famous paintings: "The Good Shepherd", "Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock" and "Come Unto Me"
The Chapel, also in the south wing, provides an attractive setting for small weddings, funerals, or worship services. At the rear of the Chapel is the Conference Room, regularly used for medium-sized meetings or as extra seating for the Chapel.
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Just back of the Baptistry is the glorious Window Wall of Stained Glass. This original design of art work portrays, in magnificent color and abstract symbols, the story of our faith in Jesus Christ. It's theme is from the gospel text: "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." The blue and green glass at the bottom represents the River Jordan where Christ was baptized and began His ministry. Rising out of the Water in white opaque glass, is the abstract form of a lamb. This is the lamb that was slain so the head is askew as one which is dead.
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Christ was not only man, but also God. In the Scriptures we are told that at the time of his baptism the dove of the spirit descended upon Him. If you look carefully you will see the shape of wings worked into the lamb's body depicting that the spirit of God dwelt fully in Christ.
High above the story of Christ's life and it's meaning, we see the eternal eye of God beholding the activity of His redeeming grace in the world.
It should be noted that because the window is abstract, other symbols might be observed.
When you enter the Narthex, you begin a journey that blends the outside world with your spiritual world of prayer and celebration. This is where everyone is welcomed as a child of God. It is here that we enter the sanctuary into a journey of growth, development, fellowship, and a relationship with God.
The American Baptist Youth, A.B.Y., welcomes all youth grades 7-12 to meet on Sunday evenings in the Baptist Temple Youth Room from 4:45-6:00 p.m.
In addition to weekly bible study/discussion, the A.B.Y. sponsors the yearly halloween party, carols to shut-ins at Christmas time, participates in a yearly Easter Fast, attend regional, state and national conventions, sponsor the annual Talent Show and Spaghetti Dinner and lots, lots more! The A.B.Y. is also commited to mission and try and provide several projects/trips throughout the year.
Most importantly, the leaders of the Baptist Temple A.B.Y. strive to provide a "safe" and fun environment for young adults to explore their spirituality and deepen their commitment to Christ.
The wide corridor which extends from the north to the south ends of the building and to the front (east) entrance, is meant to encourage people to stand and talk and yet not hinder the flow of traffic. Ample coat racks are built into the walls of the corridor in the north wing. The church offices are located in the south wing. Across the corridor from the Narthex of the Sanctuary is the Green Lounge which is designed for informal meetings and conversations before and after worship.
The rapid growth of the Sunday School in recent years has caused the assignment of rooms for classes to be very flexible, adjusting to the needs of the moment. The Nursery rooms, however, are permanently located in the north wing because of the nature of the equipment there. Child care during the morning worship service is professionally supervised. Several of the class rooms are used exclusively by the Janet Rich Day Care Center (second floor, west wing).
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