CityView Magazine

50 | September/October 2016 example, a modern depiction of the Tree of Life painted on the acacia wooden doors of the Ark welcomes all who enter the main sanctuary. e Ark houses the Torah, an encased scroll of the Pentateuch, with both velvet or silver-inscribed shield, finials and pointers. e Tree itself bears 18 pome- granates, each with 613 seeds representing 613 Good Deeds (Mitzvot) in Jewish tradi- tion. A large bronze wall sculpture honors victims of the Holocaust—displaying a Torah in flames, a menorah rising from flames and a dove of peace. Donated by his wife, it memorializes Bernard Szaku, a Hol- ocaust survivor, his grandparents, parents and six children who all perished. Massey Hill Baptist on Gillespie Street offers vibrant stained glass windows and a distinguished painting of a river and palms as a backdrop to the baptismal pool where, on a nearby coat rack, hang waders and a black robe. Erected in the 1990's, the Church responded to the needs of many mill workers at a time when, Pastor Tim Evans relates, "life was church, family and work and people walked to church." Paintings can be found on the exterior of e Prayer and Healing Room, founded by the late "Sister" Lillie Levy. Located on Bain Drive, the white block home of Sister Levy displays a life-size painting of Jesus welcoming all; another of Him pointing "this way"; and a depiction of the Last Supper with Jesus, arms spread, behind the table—all painted by Robert Williams. Over decades, many, including now promi- nent area pastors, passed by these paintings as they entered for service three times a day (8, 12, 6) until 1985, when Sister Levy passed away. e paintings, as a result of the elements, have taken on a more muted quality rendering them closer to da Vinci's "e Last Supper." At Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located on Oakridge Avenue, a vivid panorama of nearly life-size religious icons is depicted. To the le stand St. George, Archangel Michael, St. Constan- tine and Helen, Mother Mary with Jesus, and to the right are Jesus, John the Baptist, Archangel Gabriel and St. Demetious—all painted in vivid blues, reds, yellows and gold. Also, centered in the ceiling is a re- cessed "dome," approximately fieen feet in diameter, of Jesus Christ and rimmed with the following inscription: "I did not come to Beth Israel Synagogue Anantachin Buddhist Monastery Maronite Catholic Church St. Johns Episcopal Church

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