Third Floor: Kuizenga Wing
"Good Samaritan" by Carl Binder, 2001. Mahogany bas relief carving. Gift of Carl Binder.
This piece was carved from mahogany that Bob Hoisington, a friend of Carl and also a church member, had saved from the automobile molds that used to be used in the Kaiser factory in Ypsilanti.
Book of Remembrance gift of Margaret Underwood in memory of her husband, Myrl G. Underwood
The Book of Remembrance is designed to record all memorial gifts to the church, starting in 1938 (since previous records were lost). The book is of handmade paper imported from England, hand sewn, and bound in full morocco leather with gold tooling, silk end papers, gilt top and deckle edge. The design for the title page and preface was adapted from a Latin book of the 15th century. The lettering was done by Ann Arbor artists. The cabinet was constructed for the book at the time of the gift.
Presbyterian Seal (Current) by Carl Binder, 1984. Mahogany with gold leaf and steel. Gift of Carl Binder.
Carl made the current seal soon after it was adopted by the General Assembly, expecting First Pres to replace the wall hanging depicting the previous seal. However, the church wisely chose to keep both. There are seven symbols within the new seal: the cross, a triangle representing the Trinity, the Descending Dove representing the Holy Spirit, the open Bible, a pulpit signifying the importance of preaching, the Chalice, and flames representing the Holy Spirit and purity.
Presbyterian Seal (Seal of the United Presbyterian Church U.S.A, which was the largest Presbyterian denomination from 1958 to 1983 when it merged with a southern denomination to form the present Presbyterian Church, USA.) by Carl Binder, ca. 1980. Welded steel. Gift of Carl Binder.
Carl made this seal because he was intrigued by it. The heart of the seal is a Celtic cross. The quadrants show the Burning Bush representing Divine light and truth, and the Descending Dove, representing the Holy Spirit. A Cross and Orb, represent Christ's reign over the earth, and hence mission. The letters IC XC, are the first and last letters of Ihsous Cristos (Jesus Christ), and NIKA is the word "Victor." The fourth quadrant shows the Open Bible with the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, standing for Logos Theos, or "Word of God."
"Jonah and the Whale" by Carl Binder, 1976. Mahogany and steel. Gift of Carl Binder.
In 1976 First Presbyterian sponsored a juried art show. "Jonah" was among the pieces selected for the exhibit. After the show, Carl donated the piece to the church. Dick Stuber suggested displaying it over the drinking fountain. It was partly inspired by a picture, but Carl added the rocking chair, lamp and pipe, giving Jonah all the comforts of home.
"Resurrection Cross" by Angela Nagle Miller, 2004
Angie said, "This is a cross celebrating the rising of Jesus Christ from the dead on Easter Morning." She was teaching the middle and high school arts Sunday School class the preceding winter. The class began by discussing how different people would make an Easter Cross. Angie said, "'I would make a jeweled cross because Easter is supposed to be a celebration of the resurrection.' Later, I decided I needed to paint my 'Resurrection Cross' and include some of the symbols that we had been studying during the several weeks of class."
First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor by Cristy Curtiss Hyde
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