If you visit St. Andrews, or even simply see our Church and School logos, you will see the outstretched arms of the Risen and Victorious Christ sculpture.  This piece was commissioned in 2014 by Dr. Robert and Claireen Herting who loved worshipping in the Sanctuary and wanted artwork to remind us of the central tenants of our faith: 

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Our Worship and Arts committee decided that a sculpture of the Risen Christ over the altar would be a great addition to our worship space.  The suspended artwork would serve several functions: 

The hardest part of this process was finding an artist who could capture each of these elements in a sculpture while blending with the mid-century modern architecture of our sanctuary.  After much searching, Peter Ambrose was recommended to us, and we thank God he was.  The piece was completed and installed shortly before Holy Week in March of 2015. Ambrose specialized in modern and abstract art but really wanted to take on this challenge.  He told his wife, Pamela, “This is big deal! Creating a glorious Christ, universal in its representation that the parishioners will see, hopefully contemplate week after week, year after year.” 

What set Peter apart from other artists is that he came to St. Andrews for worship many times before he began trying to envision his project.  He finally drew up his vision while sitting near the front of the church during a hymn festival.  He said, “I could finally draw up my plans without feeling like I was missing out on the liturgy!”  Soon after he made a maquette (a small model of the project) and presented it to the committee.  It was perfect! 

Peter made the sculpture out of the light and fibrous Basswood.  The lightness of this wood would allow the Victorious Risen Christ to stand out and be noticed, while still blending in with the wood in the sanctuary.  His wife told us, “He talked about the materials a lot, of how he wanted the figure to be of the church and how important it was to let the pale wood slowly reveal itself against the interior architecture.” 

Before the project was finished, Pastor Hoffmann asked Peter to put Stigmata (marks of the nails) into the hands of the statue, to remove any doubt that this was the Risen Christ.  Peter agreed but knew it would be difficult and risky to work with such fibrous wood on an already completed sculpture.  He put in two recessed tetrahedra which not only signify the marks of the nails but call to mind the Triune nature of God.   

Peter remained a dear friend of St. Andrews until his passing in 2025.  His wife Pamela told us, “He saw the Saint Andrew’s commission as a gift and sincerely believed that art, the creative spirit was evidence of God’s existence.”  Peter asked that a picture of his Risen and Christ be used as the cover of his funeral bulletin.