The Compass Rose is located on the pavement of the Choir. It is the official emblem of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. This iteration of the emblem in stone and brass was designed by John Barton in the late 1980’s. John was an architect at the Cathedral and received his Masters in Religion from Yale University.
Various similar Compass Roses are installed in many churches including the Cathedral Church of Christ Canterbury, England and in the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Paul (National Cathedral) in Washington, D.C. The center of the Compass Rose contains the cross of St. George. The text surrounding the central cross is in Greek. It translates as: “The truth will set you free.” The points of a compass reflect the spread of the Anglican Christianity throughout the world. The mitre at the top indicates the role of Episcopacy and Anglican Order that is the heart of the traditions of the Churches of the Communion. The emblem was originally designed by Canon Edward West of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York.
Canon Edward West
The Rev. Dr. Edward Nason West (1909-1990) was a theologian, an author, an internationally known iconographer, an expert in the design of church furnishings, and an authority on liturgical art. As Canon Sacrist he presided over and organized all ceremonies large and small for more than 40 years. His ashes lie below the Compass Rose. The Archbishop of Canterbury dedicated the Compass Rose on September 20, 1992.
“At the service, Dean Morton told a story about the time he asked Canon West where he’d like his final resting place to be. West, who served under five different bishops at the cathedral, replied ‘Just put me where the bishops can still walk all over me.’ So there he lies where the grand liturgical processions he was so skilled at orchestrating do, in fact, walk all over him.”
– Tom Fedorek, Senior Guide
The Pavement
Unique stones from around the world make up the Choir pavement. The risers of the steps leading from the Crossing to the Choir are of yellow Numidian marble (Algiers and Tunis) and the treads of green Pennsylvanian marble. The style of the pavement of the Choir is Romanesque and Byzantine. It contains inlays with Numidian, Swiss and other marbles and Grueby Faience tiles. The steps to the Presbytery are marble from Hauteville, France.
In the center of the floor of the Presbytery is a beautiful mosaic “rug” of tiles and stones. It is 32 1/2 feet long and 10 feet wide with smaller patterns at the ends. Black Belgian marble surrounded by Italian violet marble created the central oval. This is now the placement for the Compass Rose. Grueby tiles of many colors and Grecian, red Numidian and other marbles form the rest of the design.
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- John Barton, AIA
- New York Times, Jan 5, 1990, Edward West, Retired Canon And Author, 80
- Guide to the Cathedral, Hall, 1928
- Tom Fedorek, Senior Guide, Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
One reply on “The Compass Rose”
I had the good fortune to be present when the Archbishop of Canterbury dedicated the Compass Rose on September 20, 1992, marking the sign of the cross upon it with his staff and praying as follows:
O God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, we ask your continuing blessing upon the work of our church in the world, as symbolized by this seal, the Compass Rose, now dedicated, and set here as a permanent sign of your eternal mercy upon us. Amen.
At the service, Dean Morton told a story about the time he asked Canon West where he’d like his final resting place to be. West, who served under five different bishops at the cathedral, replied “Just put me where the bishops can still walk all over me.” So there he lies where the grand liturgical processions he was so skilled at orchestrating do, in fact, walk all over him.