The following is a reprint of a letter written on the architect’s stationary about the Christian Symbolism included within the design of the Burlingame Church

The following is a reprint of a letter written on the architect’s stationary concerning the Christian Symbolism that was included within the design of the Burlingame Church. At this time, the Burlingame church was called Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church. In 1951, the Burlingame church was reorganized as Trinity Lutheran Church.

Walter R. Hagehohm
ARCHITECT
995 SOUTH WESTERN AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
PARKWAY 7792

February 23, 1939

SYMPOLISM AS EVIDENCED IN GRACE EVANGELICAL LUTHRAN CHURCH

Burlingame, California

Man lives by symbols. In our daily life we encounter symbolism at every turn; traffic is directed and regulated by symbols, individuals and companies have their ensignia or symbols denoting their craft, trade or product.

So from time immemorial the church has used symbols. In mediaeval times, church symbolism reached its greatest heights, witnessed by the beautiful stained glass windows, and the marvelously carved stone and woodwork of the small parish church, as well as in the magnificent cathedrals. In the catacombs the early Christians carved the symbols representative of Our Lord, the Blessed Sacraments, and of the Holy Trinity.

In our humble way, we today, also use the selfsame symbols in our houses of worship, each one a story told by a familiar sign that may be read at a glance.

Let us now consider the wealth of symbolism used in Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, being careful not to take the symbol as the very thing it symbolizes, for that would be idolatry, but as a representation of the blessings of our Faith through symbols.

As we approach, we see, on the highest point of the tower, a Latin cross, the actual form of cross upon which Our Savior died, indicating that a religious body has its home here, whose doctrines include a confession of the Lord Jesus Christ and his atoning death.

Over the doorway, carved in wood, is the shield of Faith, which reminds us as we enter, to give thanks to the Lord Our God, who has given us the wonderful gift of Faith. The double doorway, reminds us of the two-fold nature of Our Lord, human and divine.

Upon entering the nave we see the altar, at end of the chancel, the altar being the outward expression of our belief in the Lord’s Supper. The font indicates our belief in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

The Chancel symbolizes the Church Triumphant. Every vestment, every piece of sacramental linen has its traditional meaning. The liturgical color green symbolizes growth, life, immortality, fidelity and hope, and particularly denotes the Trinity season. In the symbols used on the lectern and pulpit hangings the older forms of lettering have been used. The symbol on the lectern consists of the Circle of Eternity, enclosing one of the most ancient monograms of Our Lord, the Chi Rho, being an abbreviation of the Greed word WPICTOC, meaning "Christ", together with the Alpha and Omega, signifying that Our Lord Jesus is the beginning and end of all things, in eternity. The Omega as here used is the ancient form, and this entire symbol exists in countless examples of the Catacombs.

On the pulpit hanging we find the IHC symbol, being an abbreviation of the Greek word IHCOYG, meaning "Jesus", placed in the Circle of Eternity, with the alternate straight and wavy rays of glory proceeding from it. This is a Messianic symbol of Our Lord, and refers to the prophecy in:

Malachi 4:2, :
"But unto you that fear My name shall the Son of Righteousness arise with healing in His words."

Here again the older form of IHC is used in preference to HIS, which is a more modern abbreviation, and form. The fair linen on the altar represents the cloth used to wrap the body of Our Lord, and the five crosses on it, the Five Wounds of Our Lord. Thus on the Mensa of the Altar, we find at each corner and at the center, Greek crosses incised in the marble, also representing the Five Wounds of Our Lord.

On the altar stands the graded Cross; this is the Latin cross which stands on a base composed of three steps. These three steps represent the three Theological Virtues. The lower step represents Charity, the broadest and greatest of these three virtues; the second step denotes Hope, without which Charity avails but little; and the highest step is Faith, which is placed next to the Cross to express the fact that Faith is the gift of God through Our Crucified Lord, and not of our own will, reason or understanding.

The flickering candles on the altar symbolize Our Lord Jesus Christ, the living Light of the World. The threefold division of the retable of the altar represents the Holy Trinity. Thus we see, from the time we approach our house of worship, through the service, and during our meditations, we have before us representative symbols of the Blessed Sacraments, Our Lord, and the Holy Trinity; symbols which at a glance tell a complete story.