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6 - Nave Ceiling
The symmetrical beaming of the vaulted ceiling is a brilliant sight. Springing out from the piers, on both sides of the nave, extremely heavy wooden trusses curve upward and inward to form the Gothic arch. Down the full length of the nave, at the peak of the ceiling is a regal cresting repeated in every arch. The center line of the nave where all points converge is tied with a royal shield upon which the fleur-de-lis is emblazoned, the repeated symbol of Our Lady's royalty. Around the perimeter of the nave is a six-foot-high frieze. Against a charcoal black background, striped with lines of Florentine red, the white edged lettering of the frieze stands out. On the east side, the inscription reads (from the rear): "Thou are Peter and upon this rock I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'' (Matt. XVI, 18). On the west side (from front): "Whatever thou shalt bind of earth shall be bound in heaven and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matt. XVIII, 18). |
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