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St. Ann Parish Art & Architecture
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Iconography at St. Ann Catholic ChurchYou probably have noticed the many beautiful, and sometimes mysterious-looking carvings and other images that can be seen throughout our Church. They can be observed above our entrance doors, on the altar rail, in our stained-glass windows, and many other locations.Perhaps you have wondered about the meaning behind these symbols, and how they refer to our Catholic tradition. This article will help you to understand this iconography, which is part of the rich traditions of our faith. The images included here are not comprehensive of all the iconography seen in Saint Ann’s, but are meant to give an overview, and hopefully whet your appetite for your own exploration and investigation.Most of the images you will be learning about are ancient. They were meant to represent and remind the observer of a particular aspect of our faith. At a time when literacy rates were low, these visual cues could help make the stories of the Bible come alive and accessible. Ironically, now that we have a literate society, we have many times lost the meaning of these iconographic images. So, let’s get to know them again.
Written Iconography
The Ichthys symbol is an acrostic (an acrostic is word composition in which the first letter of each new line can spell out a word or message). Here, each letter stands for a Greek word: Iesous (Jesus), Christos (Christ), Theou (of God), Yios (Son), and Soter (Savior). In ancient Greek, the word for fish is ΙΧΘΥΣ (Ichthys), which is transliterated to IXOYE in English. The spelling IXOYC is sometimes also seen which can be a variation of IXOYE.Alpha and Omega
The first and last letters in the Greek alphabet are alpha and omega, respectively.
In the last book of the New Testament, Revelation, God and Jesus both claim to be the Alpha and the Omega. Specifically, Revelation 1:8 states, "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the One who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty". Later, in Revelation 22:13, Jesus declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
These letters can be seen in many locations in our church, such as on the tall Paschal Candle, used for rites such as baptisms and funerals (the beginning and end of our earthly existence).IHS
In Catholicism, IHS is a monogram, a stylized combination of letters, the name of Jesus Christ. Specifically, it's derived from the first three letters of the Greek word "Iēsoûs" (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ), which is the Greek form of the name "Jesus." The symbol is a reminder of Jesus and his role as Savior, and it's often used in religious art and on objects like crosses and crucifixes.
INRI
INRI is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum," which translates to "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." This phrase was the inscription on the titulus (wooden inscription) that Pontius Pilate ordered to be placed above Jesus on the cross during his crucifixion, according to the Gospels of John and Matthew.
INRI is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase “Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum," which translates to "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." This phrase was the inscription on the titulus (wooden inscription) that Pontius Pilate ordered to be placed above Jesus on the cross during his crucifixion, according to the Gospels of John and Matthew.CHI RHO
The Chi Rho symbol is formed by superimposing the Greek letters chi (Χ) and rho (Ρ), which are the first two letters of "ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ" (Christos), meaning "Christ" in Greek alphabet.Figurative Iconography on the Altar Rail
The Pelican
The Pelican in Christian art is a symbol of charity, and a symbol of the Holy Eucharist. This image depicts the pelican plucking at her breast with her beak, then feeding her young with the blood that issues forth. In some versions of this story, the chicks are dead, and this blood brings them back to life.
It has therefore come to symbolize Christ’s sacrifice of his body and blood for the whole of mankind.The Lily
The Lily in Christian art is a well-known symbol of chastity, innocence and purity.
In pictures of the Annunciation, the Archangel Gabriel is sometimes depicted holding a Lily branch, or Mary herself is clasping a Lily, or there is a Lily in the vicinity. Indeed, if you look at the round-stained glass window above our choir loft, there is an image of the Annunciation, and Mary can be seen holding lilies.
The Stag
The stag's image as a killer of snakes (a symbol of evil) represents Christ's triumph over evil and the believer's ability to overcome temptation.
In addition, the stag's shedding of horns and the subsequent growth of new ones represent renewal, rebirth, and the continuous growth in faith.
The Peacock
The belief that peacock flesh did not decay after death led to the peacock becoming a symbol of immortality, which Christians then adopted to represent Christ's resurrection and the eternal life offered through faith.
The eye-shaped patterns on the peacock's tail feathers were seen as representing God's all-seeing presence.
The peacock's annual shedding and regrowth of feathers mirrored the Christian belief in the cycle of death and resurrection.The Loaves and Fishes
The Gospels of Matthew 15, Mark 6, and Luke 9, all mention the scene of Jesus miraculously feeding thousands with five loaves of bread and two fish.The Carpenter's Saw
In the Gospel of Mark 6:3, Jesus is explicitly called "the carpenter," and in Matthew 13:55, he is referred to as "the carpenter's son."The Ear of Corn
Ears of corn can represent the fruits of God's work in believers' lives, just as a bountiful harvest represents the fruits of the earth.
Additionally, corn, as a representation of grain, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of God's provision and sustenance.
In Genesis 41:47, during the seven years of abundance in Egypt, "the land produced plentifully," referring to the grain harvests that Joseph stored to prepare for the coming famine. This narrative underscores the importance of grain as a life-sustaining resource.The Fish
The image of a fish has long been used as a reference to Christianity. During times of persecution, the fish symbol was used as a secret sign of being a believer in Christ. References to the Disciples Peter and Andrew to become “fishers of men,” the multiplication of fish to feed the hungry, and Christ eating fish with the Apostles, are among the many instances.The Ciborium
A ciborium is a liturgical vessel used to hold the consecrated host, or Eucharist, for Holy Communion in the Christian Church. It is often shaped like a chalice or cup, with a cover, and is used both for distributing the Eucharist and for reserving it in the tabernacle.The Oak Tree
The oak's deep roots, sturdy trunk, and widespread branches make it a symbol of the Church's foundation in Christ and its enduring strength against trials and tribulations.
In Christian iconography, the oak tree represents strength, stability, and resilience, often used as a metaphor for the Church and the faithful. It symbolizes the enduring nature of God's promises and the importance of standing firm in faith. The oak tree is also linked to the "Oaks of Righteousness" concept, found in Isaiah 61:3, signifying believers who are steadfast in their faith and display God's glory.The Lamb of God Rsting on the Book of Revelation
In the book of Revelation (5:1), Christ is depicted as the Lamb of God, who has the authority to open the seven seals to reveal God’s plan for the future. In this image, we see the book of revelation with the seven seals beneath the lamb in repose. This image can also be seen in our church in the oculus window above the crucified Christ behind the altar.The Chalice and Eucharist
Here we see the chalice with the Eucharist above it, inscribed with the letters INRI, as described previously.
The term “Eucharist” originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving.Other Iconography in the Church
The Pietà: Jesus' Foot on the Root of Jesse
In our beautiful replica statue of Michaelangelo’s “Pietà”, one can see the left foot of Jesus resting on a tree root.
The Root of Jesse, described in the Old Testament Isaiah (11:1), is a prophetic image of a shoot emerging from the stump. Jesse was the father of King David, therefore this image represents the coming of Jesus and fulfillment of the prophecy. -
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St. Ann is the oldest Catholic parish in the part of Washington, DC which lies west of Rock Creek Park and north of Georgetown.
The present-day church is the third on the site, and is a larger version of a church designed by the same architect who designed the cathedral for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
The origins of the parish go back to the middle of the 19th century. In 1847, Georgetown College purchased a farm and a house on present-day Wisconsin Avenue. Each was used as a place for recreation and a retreat house.
During the Civil War, Tenleytown became the site of one of the strongest forts that protected the nation’s capital and was a place for training and encampment.
Local Catholics asked the Jesuits at Georgetown College to establish a Sunday mission church. A small wooden church was opened in 1867, across from the juncture of Wisconsin Avenue and Grant Road.
A second parish church with a Neo-Classic style and a stone structure, was completed in 1903 and is located at the corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Yuma Street NW.
Construction of the current church began in 1946.
The church was dedicated in 1948, with a dedicatory sermon by the Most Reverend Patrick A. O’Boyle, the first Archbishop of Washington.
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Trefoil Symbology at St. Ann DC
There are several representations of the Trinity as seen as versions of the trefoil in the art and architecture of Saint Ann’s Church. For example:
In the window of Saint Peter, seen here holding the “keys to the Kingdom”, we see in the border, two interlocking symbols of the Trinity, a triangle and a trefoil as perhaps a 3-leaf clover.
Over our entrance doors, we again can see a trefoil form enclosing other Christian symbols.
In the upper panel is a representation of the hand of God. Notice the position of the fingers. Two fingers are pointing up, indicating both the divine and human nature of Christ, while the other three fingers indicate the three persons on the Trinity.
The panel on the left has a fish. This is an ancient symbol in Christianity. It was used as a secret way of indicating a person was a Christian during times of persecution and it also refers to passages in the Bible such as when Christ beckons Peter and Andrew to be “fishers of men” or when in Luke 24: 41-43, Jesus eats a piece of broiled fish after His resurrection.
Also inside that panel are the Greek letters IXOYC which translates into “Jesus.”
The right panel images a dove, often representing in the Bible the Holy Spirit coming down from heaven to inspire.
Finally, the right and left are the Greek letters Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of that alphabet), indicating the beginning and the ending of all things are dependent on God.
Studying the many religious symbols in Christianity is a wonderful way of learning the history of the Church, and the cultures and mythologies that brought them into being.
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St. Ann DC: Part of the Guastavino Alliance
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Did you know that Rafael Guastavino played a part in designing our church? There are more than 600 extant Guastavino sites in 35 states and six countries — and we are one of them!
Learn more about our church here on the Guastavino Alliance websiteLearn more about our church architecture on the Columbia University Libraries website
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Exterior Architecture
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Stained Glass Windows
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Interior Shots
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