Indianapolis Star Article

The Indianapolis Star is running an article entitled “A statue as a window” today about the Mary statue.

  

April 4, 2009

A statue as a window

Church repairs an image of Virgin Mary regarded as an opening to God

By Bill McCleery
bill.mccleery@indystar.com

In summer 2008, workers performing routine maintenance at All Saints Episcopal Church in Indianapolis tried carefully to move a statue of the Virgin Mary, but the 51-year-old sculpture broke in half. Since then, the church has led a collaborative effort to restore the statue.

"Symbols and images such as statues, icons or paintings are windows to the divine pointing beyond themselves to God," explained the Rev. Steven Giovangelo, pastor at the church.

By e-mail, Giovangelo answered questions about the restoration process, as well as general questions about his church, which has been part of the fabric of Indianapolis since 1911.

Question: What is the history of this statue?

Answer: The statue of the Virgin Mary holding the child Jesus is the work of the late New York sculptor Robert Robbins, who was also responsible for some of the interior decoration of Trinity Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. Mary is depicted wearing a crown, representing one of her many titles: "Queen of All Saints."

Robbins didn't create a unique design for this statue. Since our parish (which was originally built to be the Episcopal Cathedral in 1911) was named "All Saints," it is the reason that this particular title of the Virgin Mary was chosen at the time the statue was commissioned. It was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1957 -- 46 years after the church was built.

While paintings, icons and statues of the Virgin Mary are common in many Episcopal churches today, All Saints was the first parish in the Diocese of Indianapolis to have a statue of Mary and votive (prayer) candles. In the 1950s, many were surprised to discover a Protestant church with a statue of the Virgin Mary. In truth, Episcopal liturgical worship in The Book of Common Prayer has always honored Mary even if there is no painting or statue of her.

Q: What is the statue's significance to your church's worship services?

A: During Sunday Mass or on Wednesday evenings when we have a simple chapel service, after people have received Communion, some choose to go over to St. Mary's shrine, light a candle and go to an area in the chapel to the left of the statue for private prayer while others are receiving Communion. Each candle represents the light of Christ: Someone has offered a personal prayer.

Q: What importance do you attach to imagery, symbolism and tradition in matters of faith?

A: Episcopalians are united in our diversity through our shared belief in the Gospel and in the use of worship services defined by The Book of Common Prayer. The Mass (Holy Communion) is the principal act of worship on Sundays.

Because we have traditionally placed more emphasis on God's all-encompassing grace rather than on strict doctrinal conformity, we accept a diversity of worship expressions. The Sign of the Cross, the use of incense, bowing to the altar, the use of holy water, holy oil for anointing -- these are all part of the Episcopal Church's catholic heritage, as is the use of Gregorian chant.

Q: How did your church arrange to repair the statue?

A: A member of our parish, Don Harris, is studying for a fine arts degree at IUPUI. (He contacted) Richard McCoy at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. He is their assistant conservator of 3D objects. Mr. McCoy agreed to take up the challenge of restoring the statue by the use of special armatures, glues and plasters, and his services were retained by the church.

Mr. McCoy then asked Don Harris to be part of his team, as well as another volunteer from our parish, Sister Ellen Carney.

Mr. Tyler McDonald of the Goulding & Wood organ builders in Indianapolis did the professional installation and wood restoration work on the cornice and niche construction of the backdrop -- or "Mary's house," as we affectionately refer to it. "Mary's house" had been in storage for years and not used. In effect, we have put the statue and its original "house" just about where it was originally placed more than 50 years ago.

Q: And the statue was rededicated on March 25?

A: It so happens that this year, March 25 was the traditional date of the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a major holy day. It is exactly nine months from Christmas Day; the Annunciation is based on Luke's Gospel, Chapter 1, in which the Angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the mother of the Savior. We decided to have a sung Mass on the 25th with a rededication of the statue.

Additional Facts
THE REV. STEVEN GIOVANGELO

Age: 61.

Occupation: Rector (pastor) at All Saints Episcopal Church, 16th Street and Central Avenue, Indianapolis.

Residence: Irvington.

Background: Moved to Indianapolis from a church in northern New Jersey in 2002. Has been an Episcopal priest for 32 years, serving on both coasts prior to Indianapolis.

Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Albuquerque in New Mexico, 1971; master's of divinity, Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, 1977.

Hobbies: Member of the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists as a supporter. "I grew up in a family-run upscale Italian restaurant near downtown Chicago. I learned to cook from the age of 15."

Quote: "I think the restaurant business is good training for a priest. It may sound crass, but you learn who your dedicated 'customers' are and what you do well, what keeps them coming back. When something goes wrong on a certain night, get the staff together and solve the problem promptly; be ready to adapt and improve what you do well, but hold fast to certain traditions and 'recipes.' That's my model for church ministry."