What is the significance of our East Facing Altar in the Chapel?

Dear Friends,

We have a piece of church history right here in our Chapel! Built in 1884, Trinity's Chapel reflects the architectural and theological influences of the Oxford Movement. Begun in Oxford, England in the 1830's, the movement sought to reclaim the "apostolic and and catholic heritage" of Anglicanism. This spread to the Episcopal Church in the US in the mid-19th century and is reflected in the gothic style architecture from England and a renewed focus on the sacramental aspects of the Church.  Our "East Facing" altar represents the desire to worship and pray in the manner of the Early Church. Believers turn eastward together, priest and people, in hope and anticipation that Jesus' return will come from the East and we will be ready and awake, with our prayers and our faithful observance of the Eucharist until His coming again in glory.

"From the earliest days of Church, Christians, like the Jews, also faced east when at prayer. Many Church Fathers, such as St. Clement of Alexandria, St. Basil and St. Augustine, also speak of the practice of facing east. Before Christianity was legal in the Roman Empire, Christians worshipped in their homes. One of the oldest known house churches has been discovered on the far eastern edge of the Roman Empire, in present day Syria. This house church dates from 233 A.D. Archaeologists have uncovered an assembly room in the house where as many as 60 people would gather for prayer. The room was designed with an altar against the east wall. In this way, the priest and all the faithful would together be facing east when celebrating the Eucharist." (Bp. Arthur Seratelli)

Later developments, especially since Vatican II in the 20th century, reoriented the Eucharistic posture to one where the priest faces the people, which is why our 1962 building is constructed with the altar in the center with the celebrant standing behind it. It is a wonderful gift and blessing at Trinity to have worship spaces that capture the sweep of our Christian tradition and allow us to participate in this life of worship together with all the saints who have prayed and been fed in these sacred spaces.

In Christ,

Nancy+

Photo: N. Hagner, Chapel 2024