OUR CHURCH
Do you Know the Symbolism of the Artefacts in St Bernard’s Church?
The ‘River of Life’ window at the eastern end of the Narthex, features a shining
Cross. The incomplete fish represent us. In the cosmic circle, the fish are transparent,
clothed with the spirit; they take a solid form as they enter and journey along the turbulent
River of Life. This flows around the foot of the Cross, with Christ, represented by the
one complete fish, at its centre. Finally, at death we are swept up once more into life with God in eternity.
Original design, interpretation & production : Christopher John, Phoenix Glass, Selby
The overall shape of the church and the skylight over the entrance to the worship
space, suggest the ‘River of life’ artwork and fish motifs featured in the church.
The fish is a powerful symbol of early Christianity. Jesus once told his apostles that
they would be ‘fishers of men’. When early Christians gathered, they would use the
fish symbol as a secret way to identify one another.
St Bernard on the exterior wall was originally commissioned for St Bernard’s Church in High St Belmont and relocated to this church. The sculpture is formed out of copper. The blue-green-grey patina is a natural oxidising process.
The plaque between the two bluestone steps.
Two bluestone steps from the first church built on High Street in 1914 form the threshold here. They remind us of the history of our parish and members of our community, whose faith, stories and hard work helped shape St Bernard’s.
A rock and totem poles in the garden, acknowledge the Wathaurong People as first custodians of this land. The indigenous artist is not named, as he has since died.
Church Spire
The original Cross spire from High St Belmont, now stands at the corner of
Reynolds and Fryers Roads, a link with our past, marking the sacred ground
of church, school, parish house and parish office. Its shape is reflected in the
Cross in front of the church.
