Worship. Serve. Grow.

Altar Frontal Mystery Solved

During our recent spring cleaning, the Altar Guild found four altar frontals that do not fit the altars in the sanctuary or the chapel.  They are beautifully made with lovely embroidery on heavy, good fabric in a variety of the seasonal colors of the church. They are about 4 feet wide by 3 feet long.   Here is the story of the mysterious altar frontals.  It was quite fun to learn little bits from each of you and then finally piece together the story.

It appears these were the Altar frontals used for the altar in the “Tin Building.”   Once the chapel was built, the altar frontals were too small for the altar and so they became banners and were hung in the church.  Next, when St. Paul’s  helped to establish Prince of Peace Episcopal Church, the frontals were given to them.  And then, completing the circle, they came back to us when Prince of Peace was closed.  If they have been on the coat rack in the chapel until now, I don’t know, but I am glad they surfaced in the sacristy so we could learn their history.

I also learned that these frontals and the current altar frontals and hangings for the chapel were actually ordered as kits – embroidery, material, fringe – and then assembled and sewn by members of the parish.

Now we need to find a good use for them.

Anne Babb