Sentimental Church (Record) Sunday: St. Vincent de Paul, Chicago, Interior: Miscellaneous

Seven weeks ago I wrote about the exterior of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Chicago, where my Massmann great-grandparents, Frederick Henry Massmann, 1875-1948, and Elizabeth Regina Dienes Massmann, 1876-1946, were married on June 5, 1900.  Six weeks ago I started writing about the interior, specifically, the stained glass windows; continuing the next two weeks.  Three weeks ago I wrote about the main altar, and two weeks ago I wrote about the side altars and other statues in the church.  Last week I wrote about the decorative painting in the church.

This week I'm writing about some miscellaneous items in the interior: 

The ambry (below), in an alcove on the east wall near the sanctuary, is a container used for storage of the holy oils used in sacraments: Oil of catechumens, Oil of the Sick, and Sacred Chrism. This ambry was constructed using the base and lid of the former baptismal font.

The baptismal font is now in the center of the church, and was constructed using portions of the former communion rail.

Above and below - more detail of the baptismal font

The small altar (below) in front of the main altar has legs also made from portions of the former communion rail. The altar table surface is removable, so the altar can be removed when space in the sanctuary is needed for secular functions.

The baptismal font that is now the ambry used to be in this small room off the narthex - I can tell because the central stained glass window depicts Saint John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ:

Finally, the floor of the narthex has this mosaic, also repeated in the exterior signs.

© Amanda Pape - 2018 - click here to e-mail me.