Behind
the altar just at the foot of the towering
white cross is an equally conspicuous
tabernacle. Its design is derived from
the Old Testament, the so called “Ark
of the Covenant.” “You shall
make an ark of acadia wood, 45 inches
long, 27 inches wide and 27 inches high.
Plate it inside and outside with pure
gold, and put a molding of gold around
the top of it. Cast four gold rings and
fasten them on the four support of the
ark, two rings on one side and two on
the opposite side. Then make poles of
acacia wood and plate them with gold.
These poles you are to put through the
rings on the sides of the ark, for carrying
it…You shall then make a propitiatory
of pure gold, 45 inches long and 27 inches
wide. Make two cherubim of beaten gold
for the two ends of the propitiatory,
fastening them so that one cherub springs
direct from each end. The cherubim shall
have their wings spread out above, covering
the propitiatory with them; they shall
be turned toward each other, but with
their faces looking toward the propitiatory.
This propitiatory you shall then place
on top of the ark.” (Exodus 25:
17-22).
The
Church Exterior