Statues atop Episcopal churches?

March 28, 2007 5:15 AM

Do Episcopal churches ever have statues of saints, e.g., Saint George, atop their steeples? Thanks.
posted by the sobsister to Religion & Philosophy (5 answers total)

Though the Episcopal Church isn't as averse to iconography (idolatry ;-) as the other Protestant sects (due somewhat to it's "middle way" nature) I cannot honestly recall ever seing a statue of a Saint atop the church structure, and I've been to quite a few of them in my day.
posted by Tommy Gnosis at 5:30 AM on March 28, 2007

Don't know about saints, but re: your example St George's Bloomsbury has a statue of King George (the First) on top of its steeple.
posted by holgate at 6:02 AM on March 28, 2007

Best answer: Ever? Probably. Generally, no.

While an Episcopal Calendar will list "Saints'" days it does not venerate them in the way Catholicism does. There is a strain of Anglicanism known as Anglo-Catholicism which is theologically and liturgically much closer to Catholicism. These would be more likely to be topped with a Saint, but there is no guarantee.

I would think it would be less likely in Anglican churches in Africa and the rest of the Global South and most likely in Great Britain and more likely in the US and Australia.
posted by MasonDixon at 6:42 AM on March 28, 2007

Not a saint, but the National Cathedral has a gargoyle shaped like Darth Vader.
posted by squink at 7:33 AM on March 28, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks to all who responded. I appreciate it.
posted by the sobsister at 7:43 AM on March 29, 2007