Rockefeller Chapel's "March of Religion"
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The University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel, with its 207 foot tower and its exquisite Neo-Gothic ornamentation, inside and out, always invites a 'Look Up.'
This photograph, taken from across 59th Street, just west of Woodlawn Avenue, features the south facade of the chapel, which also features its main entrance. This posting focuses on the thirteen statues that embellish the very top of this facade of the Chapel.
The March of Religion
The Rockefeller Chapel Website identifies this series of figures as part of the March of Religion. (The March of Religion, as described on the Website, comprises 15 statues, but two of them are not visible from the south and so are not included in this posting.)
Perhaps others are also puzzled when they try to identify the statues. Some are fairly obvious (Moses, Christ and Peter, for example), but others are not as easily recognized. The goal of this posting is to identify each of the 13 statutes that are visible at the top of Rockefeller Chapel's south facade. This will be accomplished by using information from the chapel's Website.
The graphic above provides a key to the statues as they will be pictured and named below. Please note that, in this view from the south, statues 1 (west) and 13 (east), placed as they are on the side towers, serve as 'bookends' for the other 11 figures.
March of Religion Details
1. Moses - This sculpture, as well as that of John Calvin (13) lacks a crest similar to those below statues 2-12. Nevertheless, Moses is easily identified by the tablet under this left arm, which represents the Ten Commandments, and the ‘horns of fire’ which are suggested in Exodus 34:29,30 and 35.
2. Elijah - The horses and chariot of file in which Elijah were assumed into heaven by a whirlwind are represented in the crest at his feet. (2 Kings 2:3-9)
3. Isaiah - Since Isaiah prophesied the deliverance of Jerusalem and Judea from Sennacherib and the Assyrian armies, the crest of a rampant lion at his feet probably represents victorious Judah. The crest is supported, on the left, by a horse and by a roaring lion, on the right. (2 Kings 19)
4. Zoroaster - According to Wikipedia, Zoroastrians worshiped in a fire temple, where “... the rites proper to the tending of a domestic fire ... are raised to a new solemnity.” Hence, this crest probably depicts a ceremonial fire, while it is flanked by torches, and Zoroaster’s statue holds a torch in its right hand.
5. Plato - Plato’s Academy may be represented in the crest below his feet, and the wings on each side of the crest may suggest the sublimity of his thought.
6. John the Baptist - The beheading ax, a locust -- representing his food in the wilderness and a “crudely made cross” adorn John’s crest. The latter probably represents John’s message that he would be followed by one greater than he. The crest is superimposed upon a scroll, which may stand for the gospels. His statue holds, in its left hand, another crude cross. The lamb between the statue’s legs represents Christ.
7. Christ - This crest is emblazoned by what appears to be a Greek Crenel or Embattled Cross. These terms refer to the additional cross-members that form crenelations, giving the appearance of an battlement. This is a sign of the strength of the Church Militant. The crest is flanked by two peacocks, which symbolize immortality, among other things.
8. Peter - Peter’s crest is embellished with two, crossed keys, the keys to Heaven, Matthew 16:13-19. Above and beside the intersection of the two keys are three crosses. The one above the intersection of the keys is embellished with cross-like tips to the top and each of the side arms and could represent Jesus’ cross. The two roosters crowing on each side of crest represent Peter’s three denials of Jesus before the rooster crowed twice. (Mark 14:30). Peter’s statue also clutches two keys.
9. Paul - This crest depicts two crossed swords with wave-filled circle one each located to the left, the right and above their intersection. The three depictions of waves probably represent Paul’s three voyages. The swords are generally thought to refer to the Paul’s beheading, but they may also refer to reference to the “... sword of the spirit” in Ephesians 6:17. The palm fronds on each side of Paul’s crest may represent “the victory of Martyrs.”
10. Athanasius of Alexandria - The Shield of the Trinity, a symbol of faith, is displayed on this crest. This symbolizes Athanasius’ defense of the Trinity against Arianism.
11. Augustine of Hippo - A simple Greek Cross dominates this crest. The “Y” in the upper left-hand corner of the crest is known as a forked cross. The forked cross may represent the tree of life, the source of original sin, a doctrine that Augustine helped define and advance. To the right is a stalk of lilies, a symbol the Resurrection. The child at the statue’s feet, and the shell in his hand are among the traditional symbols for Augustine.
12. Francis of Assisi - Three birds emblazon this crest, which is also flanked by two birds. These, plus the two birds by the statue’s right leg, symbolize Francis’ being acknowledged as the patron saint of animals. The crudely made cross in the Statue’s left hand and his simple attire may represent Francis’ acceptance of poverty.
13. Martin Luther - As for the statue of Moses, number 1 in the March of Religion, there is no crest at Luther’s feet. However, the statue holds, in its left hand, a book, which may represent Luther’s translation of the Old and New Testaments into the German language.
