Church Gate Forged With Love
St George’s recently installed a spectacular new front gate designed and hand-forged by church member Ed Lewis, a trained blacksmith from Australia. Two and a half years ago, when the old church gate was removed for a renovation project, Ed felt God was inspiring him to make a new gate. But with his wife, Anna, expecting their first child, he felt maybe the time wasn’t right for such an ambitious undertaking.
“But this was what I longed to do,” he explains, “to give back my first fruits, to make something using the gifts that God had given me. Just as God gives to us so freely, so I would freely offer this sacrifice of my time – though I could never have known that so much time would be asked!”
So began what Ed describes as a marathon journey beyond imagining. There have been setbacks and delays, injuries and ill health, inclement weather and people who have tried to prevent its completion. Pounding away in the church garden during all his spare time, Ed went through several hammers with split handles. And when the end was finally in sight, the most time-consuming and expensive components of the project – the brass grapes – were stolen. Anonymous donors from the congregation provided the money to buy replacement brass.
Ed now bears witness to how much his faith grew by offering his talents this way. “To design this gate, God suffered my stubbornness, and then patiently guided me. This gate was made by a Father and son spending time together. And as every parent treasures their children’s finger painting as a great masterpiece, so I like to think that God treasures my little scribble. He knows the hours we spent, and the lessons, talks and discipline we had together. That is what lies behind this gate: It is a gift, made by His means and to His design, because I chose to give my Father something for all He has given me.”
Ed would like to thank everyone for all their support and prayers, especially: Christian and Paul, who forged the stems of the vine leaves; Alfonso, Emma and Andrew, who helped with the painting; Alex and Bob, for their constant help physically, emotionally and spiritually; the Church Council and our neighbours, for patience while this project was being completed; and his wife and child, for putting up with his many absences.
The church held a small commissioning ceremony for the gate, and treated Ed and Anna to a romantic mini-break. Please do take a moment to admire this masterpiece and express your appreciation the next time you pass by St George’s.
Gate Symbology
12 Sparrows: Like the smallest of birds, totally dependent on God, so in faith we are fed and provided for. Jesus often used birds in His parables. There are 12 for the 12 disciples or the 12 tribes of Israel. Like us, each one is different from the other.
The Tree: Teems with life, and the branches are welded into place, just as we are grafted into Christ.
The Vine: Jesus’ own words, that He is the true vine, and the grapes are golden to represent the worth of this wine. The vine wraps itself around and over a typical arch and columns of a cathedral, representing Jesus, who envelops the Church, including and in spite of all its faults. He is also its crown, which is why the cross is where it is, over the Church. The middle leaf is a palm tree, and the bottom hinges are decorated with olive leaves, to remind us, the Western Church, of our Eastern origins.
The Dove: The shining light of the Holy Spirit.