Chapel Wall Texts, Interior Decorations and Quilts
The Chapel diagram below shows where each of the texts and quilts are located.
The walls of the church have been decorated with verses from the Bible. Alle verses have been applied to the walls by means of stencil plates, which are still kept in the archives of the Estate.
At the back of the chapel are two patchwork quilts made by members of the church. These quilts also have a story to tell. They will be addressed in a separate item at the end of this section
The Bible texts on the walls are not very easy to read so this section shows photographs of the texts with the Bible verses printed in Dutch and English underneath.
Quilts and Sculptures
At the rear wall of the Chapel there is a set of two large Quilts. St Mary's Quilters created the two quilts at the back of the church. Each pattern represents a calendar month of the year and refers to a biblical passage or story. The quilts are taken from the original work of Kim Graham ©.
The right one of the two quilts was dedicated to Norman Walker in 2000. He had been our faithful and much loved organist for 20 years. The second quilt, on the left-hand side, was made as a companion piece and completed in 2001.
Each segment of each panel will be explained in detail below.
"CHRISTMAS STAR"
With the bustle of Christmas over let's resolve that we will keep those good feelings that holidays bring.
We pray this patchwork start will remind us all that it is not too late to worship the King. Wise men and women still seek him.
Matthew 2:1-12 - King James Version (KJV)
2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
"JACOB'S LADDER" - from Genesis 28
When Jacob woke from his dream, he said, The Lord is in this place.'
As you come together in Christian Fellowship, remember that He is in THIS place with you.
Genesis 28, King James Version (KJV)
1 And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
2 Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughers of Laban thy mother's brother.
3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughers of Canaan;
7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
8 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; 9 Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.
10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.
11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.
16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
"CROSS AND CROWN"
As the Easter season approaches, it's a good time to reread the story of the crucifixion. This pattern reminds us of the Easter story. The cross is pictured in the centre of this block; with the thorns' of the crown the soldiers made to mock Jesus showing on the sid
Mark 15:15-38 - King James Version (KJV)
15 And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.
16 And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band.
17 And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,
18 And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!
19 And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.
20 And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.
21 And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross.
22 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull.
23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.
24 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take.
25 And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.
26 And the superscription of his accusation was written over, The King Of The Jews.
27 And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left.
28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.
29 And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days,
30 Save thyself, and come down from the cross.
31 Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.
32 Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.
33 And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
35 And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias.
36 And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.
37 And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost.
38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom
"ROLLING STONE"
This block reminds us of the joyous good news of Easter as a new beginning. This refers to the familiar story of Mary Magdalene going to the tomb on Sunday morning. Imagine too Mary's confusion and fear as she sees the heavy stone rolled back, and looking inside the tomb, realises the grave is empty. Then, rejoice with this faithful servant as her risen Lord appears to her first of all with triumphant news; He is Risen!
John 20 - New King James Version (NKJV)
The Empty Tomb
1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.
4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.
5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.
6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,
7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.
9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes
"SISTER'S CHOICE"
This block is a graphic reminder of the two Biblical sisters and their choices; the triangles on the outer edges of the block represent Martha, flying off in all directions as she bustles about, in a snit because of all the work she has to do. The nine-patch at the centre of the block is Mary, with the light patches in a cross shape as the focus, to remind us to focus' on Jesus is the better choice!
Luke 10: 38-42 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
Mary and Martha Worship and Serve
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[k] feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
41 And Jesus[l] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
"HEAVENLY PROBLEMS" - from Revelations 12: 7-9
This block is a reminder of the epic battle between the deceiver of the whole world" and God, plus a symbol of comfort when we are feeling beset by the problems today. In the background, the beautiful rebellious angels are thrown to earth, to bring sin and death to our world. But, God had a plan to defeat Satan: the foreground shows the Cross with its great victory over death
Satan Thrown Out of Heaven - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought,
8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them[a] in heaven any longer.
9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
"ROMAN STRIPES"
This tells of the whipping the Romans inflicted on Paul and Silas. How easy it would have been for the two men to be bitter and angry! As Roman citizens, they were supposed to be protected from such treatment. Instead of complaining about their trials, Paul and Silas were 'praying and singing hymns" in their prison cells, while other prisoners listened. God's faithfulness shines through as we read of the conversion of their jailer and his household. The criss-cross stripes remind us of the strips Paul and Silas bore, and of their triumph over pain.
Acts 16:19-34 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
The Philippian Jailer Saved
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household
"JEWEL BOX"
This block takes us back to the Old Testament and about the Israelites' jewels and other treasures. What a delight to see the willingness of the children of God! This isn't the obligation of the regular tithe. This is a people giving with joy to a God they love; delving into their jewel boxes and their treasure stores to give their very best for the Tabernacle. Consider the treasure you hold dear. You may not have precious stones, gold and silver, but you do probably have the things that are very important to you; careers, material possessions, even family. Are WE willing as the Israelites to bring the best of what we have to God to use for his glory?
Exodus 35: 20-29 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
The Tabernacle Offerings Presented
20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses.
21 Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments.
22 They came, both men and women, as many as had a willing heart, and brought earrings and nose rings, rings and necklaces, all jewelry of gold, that is, every man who made an offering of gold to the Lord.
23 And every man, with whom was found blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair, red skins of rams, and badger skins, brought them.
24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver or bronze brought the Lord’s offering. And everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it.
5 All the women who were gifted artisans spun yarn with their hands, and brought what they had spun, of blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
26 And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats’ hair.
27 The rulers brought onyx stones, and the stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate,
28 and spices and oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.
29 The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts were willing to bring material for all kinds of work which the Lord, by the hand of Moses, had commanded to be done
"BEAR'S PAW"
This block refers to young David's conversation with King Saul in Samuel 17:32-37. David this young shepherd boy had learned to give God the glory for each victory over the fearsome hazards of his daily life. As a result, when the greatest trial of all came, he knew that the same awesome God would prove more powerful than the enemy. What an astounding example for us today! What trials do you face in your daily lives? Let's resolve to rely on God to help us cope with those problems, and give Him the glory when we are victorious. Then like David we will be assured that the God who delivered us from the "paw of the lion and the paw of the bear" will also deliver us from any “giant” trouble that comes along!
Samuel 17: 32 - 37 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.
36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
37 Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!”
"TEMPLE COURT"
Solomon's marvellous temple, like the tabernacle before it, was designed so that only the priests could offer sacrifices on behalf of God's chosen people. On only one day a year (the day of Atonement) the High Priest alone could enter into the Holy of Holies, to offer a perfect lamb as atonement for the sins of Israel. Solomon's temple was doomed to destruction, but others were built to replace it. All shared a common trait: ordinary people were kept apart from the holy places of the temple. Their sinfulness meant they could never come in contact with the righteous God. Luke: 23: 34 notes that the curtain shielding the Holy of Holies was torn in half when Christ died. With that ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, man is no longer separated from God by sin.
Chronicles 3:1-9 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
Solomon Builds the Temple
1 Now Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord[a] had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan[b] the Jebusite.
2 And he began to build on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.
3 This is the foundation which Solomon laid for building the house of God: The length was sixty cubits (by cubits according to the former measure) and the width twenty cubits.
4 And the vestibule that was in front of the sanctuary[c] was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the height was one hundred and[d] twenty. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.
5 The larger room[e] he paneled with cypress which he overlaid with fine gold, and he carved palm trees and chainwork on it.
6 And he decorated the house with precious stones for beauty, and the gold was gold from Parvaim.
7 He also overlaid the house—the beams and doorposts, its walls and doors—with gold; and he carved cherubim on the walls.
8 And he made the Most Holy Place. Its length was according to the width of the house, twenty cubits, and its width twenty cubits. He overlaid it with six hundred talents of fine gold.
9 The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold; and he overlaid the upper area with gold.
"ROAD TO DAMASCUS"
Many of us have long been familiar with Paul's story: but in the flashing heavenly light, it's easy to overlook the role a less well known Christian plays. Read about him in Acts 9:10-17. At first Ananias is afraid to follow the Lord's command: Saul is known as a fearsome enemy. But Ananias (whose name means “God gives Grace”) doesn't say “let’s wait and see if this fellow really is different.” Rather, he trusts and obeys, whole heartedly: Please think about the story of Saul's conversion and his life spent serving God's people: there can be no doubt God is at work as Saul the persecutor of the church becomes Paul the servant of the Gospel, The same powerful God has a plan for your life, too. If you have already trusted in our Saviour, how are you responding to the Sauls in your life? Is there a new Christian who needs you? Are you “waiting to see how it goes," or are you trusting God to transform lives, and responding in the powers of God's Grace?
Acts: 9 Verses 1-9 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.
8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank
"KING DAVID'S CROWN"
Even "religious people" sometimes miss the point of Christmas. We carry an image of a cute little baby; pretty young mother; shepherds; animals; and angels overhead. When reality seems so far from the peaceful Christmas card scene it's easy to forget the true importance of Christ's birth and its relevance for us toady! In Luke 1 29-33 rediscover the way in which God kept His promise. Luke's account in Isaiah 9: 6-7 richly reminds us of the faithfulness of a Holy God who shows His mercy and His love through the birth of Christ, the Saviour King. A "perfect" Christmas is the time to focus on God's amazing gift - rejoicing together as we commemorate the birth of the "Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" who reigns on David's throne forever.
LUKE 1 29-33 - Source: New King James Version (NKJV)
1 But when she saw him,[d] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.
30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus.
32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”