Camelback Sanctuary

Camelback Sanctuary

The Early Christian basilica serves as the basis for the design of the worship space at Camelback. Traditionally, the basilica consists of a narthex, a longitudinally oriented rectangular nave flanked by side aisles, and a chancel. At Camelback there is a diagonal orientation of the traditional basilica elements. The narthex, therefore, is located at a corner of the building rather than at its end. The chancel occupies the opposite corner of the building, and the nave and side aisles run diagonally connecting the two. As in the Early Christian basilica, the ceiling of the building is flat, and the roof of the central space is higher than that of the side sections. Clerestory windows are located directly beneath the ceiling of the central space to provide natural lighting for the interior. An ambulatory, which traditionally runs behind the chancel at ground level, occupies a second level overlooking the chancel.

Symbolism from both Old Testament and New Testament sources plays an important role in the worship space at Camelback. References to Solomon's Temple are numerous. The idea of a central sanctuary surrounded by rooms derives from the design of the Temple (I Kings 6:5). Clerestory windows were features of the first Temple as well (I Kings 6:4). Many of the materials used in our building, such as quarried stone and cedar roofing, emulate those of Solomon's Temple (I Kings 6:7, 9). Our door fixtures bring to mind the Temple's many bronze objects. The use of copper throughout our building is consistent with the use of metals used in the first Temple and is particularly site-appropriate, as Arizona is known for its copper reserves.

There are New Testament references throughout our building as well. The three tiers of the roofing structure are evocative of the Trinity, and the three concentric cylinders in the copper chandeliers signify that God is Three in One. In each of the corner windows the panes of glass number seven, an allusion to God's perfection. The shape and number of these sections of glass are repeated on the front of the pulpit, which additionally bears the symbol of the cross.

In the absence of the pipe organ, three banners above the chancel bear additional historic symbols of our faith: Α and Ω, representing God, the Alpha and Omega (beginning and end) of all things, surround a crosslet that depicts the spread of the Gospel to all four corners of the earth.