Living History

The Bas-Relief

Bas-relief is a sculpture in which the projection above the surrounding surface is slight and no part is undercut. The bas-relief in the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church was made in casts and bonded to the wall. Bas-relief was an original feature of the sanctuary. When the ceiling was lowered in 1833 the bas-relief below the ceiling was removed. The portion remaining in the attic was undisturbed but partly deteriorated with the passage of time. Few church members were aware of its presence.

Hurricane Hugo of September 1989 gave the members of Second Presbyterian Church the opportunity to return the ceiling to its original configuration. Interest in the restoration grew and the congregation voted to raise $55,000 to cover the expense not paid for by insurance. A generous contribution of $5,000 by a member started the effort and three ladies raised the money in less than a week. With funds available the restoration committee decided to replace the weakened bas-relief. Architects from Pennsylvania, Virginia, England, and Charleston worked on the project along with members who recalled seeing the bas-relief in the attic years earlier. Some pieces of the original bas-relief were still on the wall and lines marked places of some missing parts. Broken pieces found in the attic were studied. A plaster restoration expert planned the new bas-relief and cast many most of the pieces. A local sculptor cast the angel and trumpet, the two large angels and the burning bush.

The Sunburst is rich in meaning for the Christian as it represents the biblical teachings about the sun. The sun was fashioned on the fourth day of creating to light the earth and regulate the season. “God said, “Let there be light.” (Genesis 1:3). The sun is a symbol of Jesus Christ (Malachi 4:2), and spoke of the time when “…Sun of righteousness shall rise with healing on its wings. “On the first day of the week the “son of righteous” arose from the dead. The sun represents permanence and life. Christians dwell perpetually in the light of the Son of God. The chrysanthemum figures along the eaves of the balcony also reveal the importance of the sun, and light, to our church. The golden flower is a symbol of light.

The Burning Bush is a symbol of the Church of Scotland. Yahweh chose to be manifest to Moses through the burning bush at Mount Horeb (Exodus 3:2-4). The bush that burned without being consumed is a symbol of God’s eternal presence. “Nec tamen consumabatur” – “and yet it was not consumed” is the motto of the Church of Scotland.

The Trumpet blown by the angel Gabriel calls the people of God to assembly. Moses made two of beaten silver and these were blown by priests to call the people to worship (Numbers 10:2). The angel blows the trumpet at God’s behest and we gather in response. A child in our congregation was the model for this angel.

The Garland symbolizes victory, worth, joy, and gladness. The one in whom the trumpet call originated could rightly wear the royal garland.

The lily is mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 6:28. Generally flowers in scripture point to man’s ephemeral life. Flowers bloom for a few glorious weeks, then fade and wither.

The Lily of the Valley of the bas-relief forms a garland of permanent blossoms. In Scottish churches the bas-relief was used to show the allegiance of the congregation to the trinity of clan, country, and Church of Scotland. Likewise, figures in our bas-relief indicate our devotion to our city, our state, and our denomination. The Palmetto Branch honors the Sate of South Carolina. This potion of the original bas-relief was occupied by a replica of the pineapple, a symbol of hospitality. The Angel on the congregation’s left holds the seal of the Presbyterian Church, USA. In the original, the angel held the seal of the State of South Carolina. The angel on the right holds the seal of the City of Charleston. Angels figure prominently throughout the Bible. In the New Testament, angels as messengers foretell the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1:11-20; Matthew 1:18-25), and herald Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:8-15). They warn Joseph to flee with Mary and the Baby Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15). Angels ministered to Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:11) and in the ordeal before the Crucifixion (Luke 22:43). An angel rolled away the stone from Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28:2). Angels surround the throne of God and respond to those who acknowledge Jesus before men. The Cherubim in Mesopotamian or Egyptian mythology and in the Old Testament were winged bulls or lions with human faces, usually found guarding holy sites. Roman and Renaissance art re-mythologized them and placed them among the angels. They are generally shown as winged infants hovering above heavenly scenes.