THE TAPESTRY
Reredos: a screen or decoration behind the altar in a church usually depicting religious iconography or images.
It can be made of stone, wood, or painted. It was Popular in Europe during the 14th and 15th centuries, almost
died out, but regained popularity in the 19th century. (Wikipedia online encyclopedia).
As you sit in church and look up at the tapestry it appears to be miraculously suspended in the air about one foot
down from the ceiling and about an inch or two away from the wall. As you look at it, you can imagine that it
would sway gently if a breeze were to gently touch it. Actually it is a beautiful painting, firmly attached to the
wall.
Everyone we asked about it agreed it was beautiful and St. Matthew was indeed blessed to have it, but no one
knew anything about it. A few people did know some version of the following story, but did not know if it was
true or just a pretty story.
Sometime in the 1930’s (exact date is unknown—the date must be earlier because a picture of the tapestry is
shown in the book dedicating the new church), a woman whose identity is not known, went into the church and
found a man sleeping there. She immediately told Rev. Wolf who went and woke the man. In reply to Rev.
Wolf’s inquiries the man said he was vagrant, not a bum, and he was looking for food and work. He had got off
the train at the train station on Market Street, now the Sherwin Williams Paint Store, and had come from the
south around Georgia. The man was educated, well spoken and said he had attended college. It is not known
what college or if he graduated. When he asked for work, he said he was a good painter and had painted murals
in train stations, churches, and government buildings.
Pastor and the woman shared their lunch with him and Pastor gave him enough money to stay three nights at the
Martha Washington Hotel which was located on the corner of Main and Center Streets, and buy some food. He
went to the hotel, but came back to the church every day looking for work; he wanted to do something for the
church.
On the third or fourth day he suggested painting a mural behind the altar. He drew some examples on pieces of
cardboard. Pastor Wolf took the offer to create a tapestry in the altar space and the examples to Church
Council. Pastor Wolf, Dr. Haas, and G. Edward Elwell (an Episcopalian) checked his credentials. In the mean
time he was given some odd jobs around the church. Members of the congregation gave him meals. The men’s
Bible class gave him $7.00 per week. He started showing examples of his ideas for the painting. He also did
some painting at the Episcopal Church, perhaps for extra money. It is not known what he painted there.
Other members of the community also donated to his well being. A college professor who lived on Fifth Street
and G. Edward Elwell had him for meals and let him spend the night occasionally. Fred Hippenstiel and Bart
Pursel, men’s clothiers of Bloomsburg, gave him some clothes. Dr. Ambrose Shuman, an Episcopalian, from
Catawissa gave him handouts. R. G. Buckalew and C. C. Houseknecht gave him a used car.
Council gave their approval for the painting which would require special paint. The Normal School, now
Bloomsburg University, ordered the paint from New York City and when it arrived they brought it to the
church. As soon as the man had council’s approval he started sketching the design on the wall. Members of
almost every church in town came to see the work as it was being done.
When the painting was finished the congregation held a dinner and invited members of other churches to come
for food, fellowship and to view the finished work. He was introduced to everyone at the dinner and was given
an envelope with either $100 or $135 in cash. He said very little and left before the dinner was over. Some
time later an envelope arrived at the church with a Chicago postmark. Inside the envelope was a printed
message “Enjoy the tapestry. Thanks for being true Christians”. He may have stayed in Bloomsburg for five or
six months. It is important to note that he came and went through the front door of the Church.
From notes compiled by Harry Logan – submitted by James Slusser.
According to Mr. Sam Evert, the tapestry was professionally refurbished and gilded around 1960, probably
during Pastor Singer’s pastorate when extensive renovations were done and the addition of the chapel was built.
Originally the tapestry represented the twelve Apostles. During the refurbishing it was changed to represent the
Ten Commandments. The tassel was added to the bottom covering some of the crosses.
A scrap book was created by Nora Saltzer, grandmother of current member, Brad Miller. A specific chapter of
the scrap book explains the tapestry.
“At the front of our church above the woodwork is a
Religious Tapestry, in the center is a large blue cross. Jewish
Way of putting blasphemes to death in the Old Testament.
The upright position of the cross caused more suffering.
The red border symbol of blood.
Center of cross blue – loyalty and truth.
There are 18 small crosses around the large cross, and
12 larger crosses around the border of the tapestry.
The 12 larger crosses represent the twelve Apostles who took
up the cross for Jesus.
The vines around the cross represents life.
Jesus said, I am the true vine Ye are the branches.
Dots of blue of the cross, stars in the sky. Blue for eternity.
stars for Christians who will live forever in Heaven.
The bowls in blue, palm leaves out of the top.
Palms represent victory through the cross.
There is no Christian life without the cross.
The religious Tapestry, or painting, had a lighter center,
artwork of mixing with gold dust.
Figure of lamb with halo, Deity or Power of God.
Two main vines or branches, top touching cross growing out
of the bottom of the cross.
There are three kinds of flowers on the vine.
Six flowers, Passion Flowers.
Passion for suffering. Passion Week means week of Jesus
suffering, red for the Blood of Jesus shed on the cross for our
sins.
White lilies stand for Messiah, as a symbol of the resurrection
from the grave.
Lilies grown from bulbs in the ground, so Jesus rose.
There are six lilies, purity, resurrection, symbol of life.
There are two bunches of grapes – Jesus took grapes on the
last night in the Upper Room, squeezed the juice into a cup
and gave his disciples to drink. The fruit of the vines standing
for the blood of Jesus.
There are four figures in the Tapestry. (Reference in Ezekiel
1st chapters).
St. Matthew: Winged man, for his gospel begins with the
human ancestry of Christ.
St. Mark: Winged lion, for his Gospel opens with a description
of the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
St. Luke: Winged ox, for this Gospel gives the fullest account
of the sacrificial death of our Lord.
St. John: Eagle, for his Gospel soars Heavenward.
The Halo, a circle of light, used to distinguish Holy People.
Ezikiel refers to the Halo as wheels. Ezekiel prophecy of
Four Mighty Books. The Gospels. The Halo and wings – each
holding a scroll, which stands for God’s word, is printed in
one thousand languages and dialects.
On April 28th, again referred to the pledge cards and to the
symbolical, Religious Tapestry or painting.
(The Circles) Bowl or cup-plate-Holy Communion.
Cup the Blood – Plate the Body of Jesus.
“Cup = Chalice. Plate = Patin”.
The artist was going to put a bird (pelican) in the circle, but
Rev. Wolf didn’t like this idea. Suggested the Communion
Cup and Plate, the artist liked the suggestion and sketched the
cup and plate, they were used for the Passover. They are the
most real of symbols.
In the center of the cross is a banner or standard. A Lamb
With a Halo which stands for Deity or Power of God. Rays or
Halo on the outer edge stand for Christ, as Jesus was called
the Lamb of God.
At the feast of the Passover, they ate butter, herbs, unleavened
bread and lamb, the best of the flock.
Jesus the Lamb of God, who delivered the world from sin.
Lamb with banner fighting Lamb of God – fighting against sin
(standing lamb).
Lamb with haloes, two beams of light of gold leaf, which is
gold, hammered into very thin sheets, larger lamb because it
symbolizes Christ the One Savior. Lamb lying down with
banner represents victory, banner over shoulder. Rest, and
victory, won by death on the cross.
Satan defeated for all Christians. Banner with cross in center
Cross of Jesus.
Crown at top of Tapestry stands for supremacy or promise to
all Christians, the crown of everlasting life. Jesus said be thou
faithful until death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Blue Medallions on the side of the tapestry stand for purity,
blue for purity. The circles extending, circles for everlasting
life, no break also for God no beginning no end.
The Passion Flower = a red flower. Tradition has it that on the
way to the cross, Christ’s skirt touched it and it turned red.
The lilies in the tapestry for purity, Jesus loved the flowers.
The wall in the background is gold treated. Figures in the
Background Fleur de Lis.
Submitted by Brad and Katy Miller
A further note on the tapestry: The 1925 dedication book says that the Reredos along with other items was
dedicated by the Men’s Bible Class in honor of the pastor. It goes on to say the Mural Painting (Reredos?) was
dedicated in memory of Rev. Frank M. Traub by the Y. Missionary Society.