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Nave

The Nave consists of the large section of the church where members sit during services. This area is defined by high arched ceilings, numerous windows and beautifully detailed woodwork.

Ceiling Timbers

The inscription on the frieze board, starting in the northwest corner by the Baptistry reads: 

Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what manner of house will ye build unto me? And what place shall be my rest? For all these things hath my hands made, and so all these things came to be. (Isaiah 66:1,2) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man destroyeth the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, and such are ye. (1Corinthians 3:16) Ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ himself being the cornerstone; in whom himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom the whole structure fitly framed together, groweth into a  holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19)

The timbers of the ceiling were decorated by Alfred E. Floegal (German American, 1894-1976).

Clerestory Windows

High on the side walls of the Nave are the clerestory windows. These are of what is known as grisaille glass, which means decorative painting on glass, usually of blue-gray color.

These were done by G. Owen Bonawit (New York, 1891-1971).

Side Aisles

The stalls that align the side aisles are decorated with birds local to the area: swallow, quail, dove, cat-bird, owl, robin and one which at this time remains a mystery. Several of the panels which are backs of the side stalls are gilded inscriptions that memorialize some of the people of Christ Church Cranbrook’s history. 

Created by Irving and Casson of the A. H. Davenport Company, Boston.

Pulpit

On the right side of the Chancel area is the Pulpit. The beautiful carved figures of men are from church history: John the Baptist, St. Paul, St. Francis of Assisi and John Wesley. A small carving of a scribe if found to the right of the Pulpit.

This was done by Adam Dabrowski (Polish-American, 1880-1972).

Lectern

Across from the pulpit is the Lectern holding the book from which the scripture is read each Sunday. Below the book stand are depicted three translators of the Bible: Caedmon, John Wycliffe and William Tyndale. Wycliffe and Tyndale were martyred after making the Bible accessible to English readers. They are also honored as “Dawn Men” on the exterior of the Church.

Organ Doors

On the south wall near the Chancel are the great organ doors decorated with angels and the inscription: “Sing forth the glory of His name; make His praise glorious; then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy before Jehovah.” (Adapted from David’s psalm of thanksgiving; 1 Chronicles 16:23-33). The trees are actually made to sing in the form of organ wooden pipes.

The doors were decorated by Alfred EW. Floegal (German American, 1894-1976) and are a gift of James Scripps Booth and Jean Laughlin Booth, his first wife.