The Anchor:  A Christian Symbol

The beautiful anchor on top of St. Andrews Catholic Church located on Block Island has a long history of Christian symbolism.  It is a fitting symbol for a church that sits on a hill on an island several miles out to sea.  Block Island has been and still is a safe haven for boats who find it necessary to anchor in its harbors to wait out storms or to simply lay still in tranquil waters. 

Christian symbolic reference to an anchor is found in Paul’s letter to Hebrews 6:16-20: 

…(16) For men swear by one greater than themselves: and an oath for confirmation is the end of all their controversy…(17)Wherein God, interposed............

Mark Lowry, a Christian singer, songwriter and comedian, was born in Houston, Texas, June 24, 1958, to Charles Lowry, an attorney, and Bev Lowry, a singer, songwriter and pianist. He learned to love music and could sing beautifully as a young child. He graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., in 1980.

Following is Mark’s story behind his now famous song:

“In 1984, Jerry Falwell called and asked me to write the program for their next Living Christmas Tree.

As I wrote the ‘speaking parts’ I began to think about Mary. I have always been fascinated with the concept that God came to earth.  

In a conversation with my mother, I ...

We thank Thee

By:  Ralph Waldo Emerson

For flowers that bloom about our feet,

Father, we thank Thee.

For tender grass so fresh, so sweet,                            

Father, we thank Thee.

For the song of bird and hum of bee, 

For all things fair we hear and see, 

Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For blue of stream and blue of sky, 

Father, we thank Thee.

For pleasant shade of branches high, 

Father, we thank Thee

For fragrant air and cooling breeze,

For beauty of the blossoming trees.

Father in heaven, we thank Thee.

For this new morning with its light, 

Father, we thank Thee.

For rest and shelter of the ............