Welcome to Central Presbyterian Church
We have prepared this interactive tour to help you unlock the meaning behind the symbols in our church.
You can dip your toe in or you can dive right in. When you click on one of the symbols on the map below, you will receive a basic description of the story behind the window it represents. Click on the “Learn More” button and you can examine an interactive view of the individual symbols in each window.
Dorcas
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
Created by Luxfer studios in 1955, this window was donated by the Ladies Aid Society in memory of Rebecca G. Goldie.
The Road to Emmaus
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven milesa]">[a] from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
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30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
This window tells the story of the risen Jesus walking the road to Emmaus with two his of his disciples. He gently teaches, comforts and strengthens them preparing them to continue his ministry.
The window, created by Russell C. and Chris Goodman, was placed in memory of Margaret F. McCormick by her son Wm. F. McCormick in 1984.
Our War Memorial
Lest we Forget
Through two World Wars, members of Central paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom to live, love and worship in peace. This window records their names and honours their memory. We remember the hell that war's victims live through and the sacrifices that are made to bring these conflicts to an end.
Robert McCausland created this window in 1920 to remember the soldiers that Central lost in the First World War. In 1954, his studio updated the window to remember the soldiers that Central lost in the Second World War.
The Ascension of Jesus
Luke 24:50-52
The Ascension of Jesus
50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Robert McCausland created this window in 1920 to remember the soldiers that Central lost in the First World War. In 1954, he updated the window to remember the soldiers that Central lost in the Second World War.
Fishers of Men
Matthew 4:18-19
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Created in 1984 by Russel C. and Chris Goodman in 1984, this window was donated by Robert Scroggins and his family in memory of his wife Katharine R. Wooley.
The Light of the World
20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
This window is a representation of "The Light of the World" an allegorical painting by the English Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt.
Created by Luxfer Studios in 1954, this window was placed in memory of Alfred and Margaret Taylor by their daughter Margaret A. Taylor.
The Bell Tower
The memorial chime was installed in 1906 and dedicated to individuals in the congregation. They were cast by the McShane foundry of Baltimore, Maryland.
The chime is played from a chime stand of wooden handles connected to rods and chains located in the steeple at the round windows level, while the bells are hung from a wooden bell frame at the louvered windows in the highest part of the stone tower just below the steeple.
The bells weigh between 250 pounds and 2100 pounds. The largest bell which forms the lowest note of the scale of E may also be pealed.
Our Lord's Creation - Lower Window
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
The sun, the moon, the stars, the universe; it's all God's creation. This window reminds us of the vastness of God's creation.
We aren't completely certain why the zodiac was chosen. This information has been lost over time. However, God created the stars and we can be reminded that it's God and not the stars in whom we place our faith.
Created by the Robert McCausland Studio in 1930, this window was placed in memory of John and Margaret Goldie by their children.
Our Lord's Creation - Upper Window
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
The sun, the moon, the stars, the universe; it's all God's creation. This window reminds us of the vastness of God's creation.
We aren't completely certain why the zodiac was chosen. This information has been lost over time. However, God created the stars and we can be reminded that it's God and not the stars in whom we place our faith.
Created by the Robert McCausland Studio in 1930, this window was placed in memory of John and Margaret Goldie by their children.'
The Christmas Story
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Created by Luxfer Studios in 1976, this window was placed by Betty Mogg Fisher in memory of Irwin and Cora Martin, Menno B. and Elizabeth Martin, Irwin and Ethyle Martin and Harold Mogg.
Let the Children Come
14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
Created by Russel C. Goodman in 1983, this window was placed in memory of Verna Louise Tomlinson by her husband Kenneth A. Bowes and their daughters.
He is Risen
Luke 24:1-6
Jesus Has Risen
24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen!
Created by the Robert McCausland Studio in 1928, this window was placed in memory of the Hon. James Young and his wife Margaret Young.
The Sermon on the Mount
5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Created by Robert McCauslin in 1928, it was placed in memory the Hon. James Young and his wife Margaret Young.
The Road to Damascus
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Created by Russel C. and Chris Goodman in 1984, this window was place in memory of D. Walter McCormick by his son, Wm. F. McCormick.
Ruth the Gleaner
2 And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.”
Naomi said to her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters.
Created by Luxfer Studios in 1955, this window was placed by the Ladies Aid Society in memory of Mrs. Isobelle R. McCormick
A Brief Description
Here’s a few details about the building. Built in a Late Gothic Revival style, the cornerstone was laid in 1880 and the original building was completed in March 1882. There have been a number of alterations over the years, including the chimes, the insertion of the balcony, the Casavant Freres organ and more recently the new stage. Even our beautiful stained glass windows are a later addition, many donated by families within the congregation.
The building was originally lit with gas lights. The current electric lights were added in 1904. The Bell tower soars 184 ft, while the roof stands at 64 ft.
Central is one of the most photographed buildings in Waterloo Region and it’s position beside the Grand River, with the historic Main Street Bridge, makes it an iconic symbol of the City of Cambridge.
Of course, that position perched along the banks of the river does present challenges. The church has been flooded 12 times, the last time in the great flood of 1974.
Weddings and funerals, Sunday worship and Christmas Eve services; Central has seen it all. For more than 100 years, we have been a welcoming family, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with anyone searching for hope and meaning.
Welcome to our home. Our doors are open every Sunday, and you are always welcome.
Visit Restore the Roof
