Our Sanctuary
Corkran Memorial United Methodist Church's new sanctuary design was conceived over a period of several years during the 1980's. Three main considerations were always kept in mind
- The building must lift one's mind and heart up to God.
- The building must be conducive to the rituals of worship and flexible enough to accommodate various types of programs
- There must be a feeling of closeness or fellowship
All three considerations were important in determining the shape of the building. Thought was given to having a church-in-the-round, but practical matters of ritual and worship overrode this possibility. Some of the benefits of church-in-the-round (the feeling of closeness and fellowship) were retained by having the pews set at an angle with the alter as the focal point. The interior sanctuary walls form an octagon; this gives a reason for the angle of the pews and retains some of the feeling of church-in-the-round. The octagon (denoting the number eight) is also symbolic of the new life (note that the baptismal font is an octagon); this symbolism derives from Noah's ark, there being eight souls saved from the flood. As a bonus, the octagon also makes an exceptionally strong structure; steel beams rise from each of the eight comers and meet under the cupola thereby supporting each other and providing a sturdy base for the cupola and steeple.
Earth tones are used for the floor and wall behind the alter; the upper walls are white and the windows are set high thereby leading one's eye and thoughts upward to the light. Windows in the cupola add to the sense of light. God is light; the physical light is symbolic of the eternal spiritual light.
A sloped wall behind the alter suggest a hill, and the hanging cross is centered on the wall (hill); this is a reminder of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. The theme is carried to the windows behind the alter: the center window has a cross built into it, and the two side windows remind us that there were three persons crucified that day. These windows look out onto a hillside covered with trees; the beauty of the scene brings to mind God's continuing work of creation. The front doors are glass suggesting the openness of worship for any who would come.
The center aisle is wide enough for weddings and funerals. All of the pews and chancel furniture are movable, thereby allowing flexibility for almost any type of program. There is a passage behind the the chancel area which allows the choir and other worship participants to enter and exit unobtrusively as needed.
Basic design considerations were formulated primarily by Loren Bearce, Chairman of the Building Committee; Stanley G. Harrell, Pastor; and John Corkill, Architect. Members of the Building Committee when the design was approved in 1987 included Barbara Cocci, Flo Huff, Joe Hersch, Mary Ann Jacobs, Ed Klahr, Winifred Marx, Chris Maskaleris, Judy Overton, Mildred Owens, Mildred Proctor, Tom Ruple, Barbara Shavatt, Bud Sherbert, Bob Sutphin, and Jack Thompson.
