This is, in my mind, a fantastic example of art in the Church.

This cathedral is alive with art, and it’s not seen in just the permanent fixtures.

I share these photos because I feel they tie in quite well with my essay about artists in the Church. I suggested that churches can support the arts and artists by actually displaying art. When I wrote that essay, I had no idea about this installation at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

Discovering Art in the Church

I met for breakfast with some photographers and one of them had plans to stop by the cathedral to photograph it. I jumped at the chance. It seemed a perfect opportunity to see, in person, the very topic I had written about, in a new-to-me location. Just walking into the cathedral filled me with awe. That feeling and sense of reverence were only heightened by the hundreds of colorful ribbons of varying lengths hanging from the ceiling. Beauty just filled the cathedral from the architecture, to the stained glass, to the ribbons that brought the colors and vibrancy of the stained glass into the interior.

The artist, Anne Patterson, and the church community worked together to hang Graced with Light the 20 miles of ribbon that represent prayers ascending and descending. The installation is no longer up. But I am certain that those who saw it were not disappointed.

Below is a photo of the back of the cathedral. It shows the ribbons clearly with the stained glass rose window behind.

This essay is from our Anastasis Series where we resurrect articles from the past that are either still relevant today or can be easily updated. This piece was first published on January 29, 2014, and has been lightly edited and updated.

About Post Author

Pamela Reynoso

Pamela is a big city loving fine art photographer who enjoys various genres of photography, especially macro work. She lives in Cleveland, TN with her high school sweetheart and husband, Rondall, and their five children. She can usually be bribed with homemade peanut butter cookies.

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