Symbols in the Church

As you step over the threshold, the “S” and “J” stand for St. James’. The large spot in the center contains the Alpha and Omega, first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, signifying Jesus is the beginning and end of all things. (See the Book of Revelation, chapter 1, verse 8).

The four spots not far from the center one, represent the 4 Gospelers, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with the names spelled in Latin. The winged creature with the man’s face represents Matthew because his Gospel narrative traces Jesus’ human genealogy. The creature with a lion’s face is the symbol for Mark because his Gospel begins with “the voice of one crying in the wilderness”, suggesting the roar of a lion. Luke is symbolized by the ox, the animal of sacrifice, since Luke stressed the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. The high soaring eagle is the emblem of John because in his narrative, he rises to the loftiest heights in dealing with the mind of Christ.

The significance of the two spots at the entrance of the inside doors is as follows: one is monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ. The other spot means “Jesus Christ, Conqueror”. It consists of the Greek cross with the abbreviated Greek word for Jesus (IC), Christ (XC) and “Nika” meaning conquers.

The Parish House was erected in 1877 under the auspices of the Ladies’ Church Aid Society.

The cemetery contains the graves of several Revolutionary war dead. Also buried here is Captain John Green, Commanding Officer of the Empress of China, a United States Merchant Marine vessel, the first American ship to carry the United States flag around the globe, 1787-1790. Thomas A. Cooper, prominent English actor and first idol of the American theatre is also buried here. A few graves in the cemetery still remain available to members of the parish.

St. James' Episcopal Church is located in the heart of historic Bristol Borough Pennsylvania.

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