The sculpture hanging as a chandelier in the entryway of the Christian Life Center under construction at First United Methodist Church reflects a significant experience in religious history.
"It's gorgeous, beautiful," said church member Mildred Browning as she watched artists put together the 9-foot glass structure Friday. "I can see the flames leaping out of the design."
The red, orange and yellow glass represents the fire of the Holy Spirit described in the book of Acts. According to the Biblical account, when the disciples gathered to pray after Jesus' death, tongues of fire appeared to them and rested on each, signifying the time God first filled men with his Holy Spirit.
Glass artist Brook Forrest White Jr., with Flame Run studio and gallery in Louisville, said forming the chandelier stretched him technically and spiritually. White's design proposal was chosen because it was the best illustration of fire, church members say.
"For me it was a great way to tangibly show my belief," White said.
He worked with heat and color to transform tubes of glass into curling, licking flames, which burst from three separate glass bowls that hang down from a metal frame. The three bowls represent the trinity " Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
"Blowing the glass was the easy part," White said. "It was the technical and electrical know-how that was a little harder."
Assembling the sculpture took several hours by White and metal artist Bryan Holden.
Church members watched and commented as the light went up. "It's very artistic. I'd say it's also a bit unusual," Browning said.
Indeed, the sculpture is separated by more than a century from the gothic exterior of the church on Washington Street built in 1856.
The church member who kept closest watch on the project was Roy Nance, minister of music and worship arts. He said the chandelier is a great centerpiece for the $5 million center.
"We wanted to place a real emphasis on the arts," Nance said. "The early church " they're the ones who promoted art " they told the story of their faith through art."
And the sculpture tells the story of the Holy Spirit and its importance to First United Methodist, he said.
"The hallway is a gathering place, and we see the Holy Spirit as being a part of all that," he said. "It symbolizes the spirit of God being with the people. And unless the people are empowered by the Holy Spirit to go out from the center, there really is no reason for the center. It just becomes a building."