To The Members of The Tipton Community Congregational Church:

I am a member of Woodworking for Warriors, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing a supportive environment for Veterans, fostering personal development and fellowship through woodworking. We are run for Veterans by Veterans, and our workshop is located just a couple of miles east of the church on Monroe Highway. During one of our sessions, we had the opportunity to host several members of your congregation. During our discussions, we were asked if we could transform a pew that had been removed to make way for some audio-visual equipment into a wall display that reflected the rich history of the church in Tipton. Naturally, we agreed, and I was fortunate enough to take on the assignment.

As I began to design the display, I reflected on both your church building and the pew itself. The building, constructed in 1860, and the pew, which I understand to be original to that construction, have both stood as silent witnesses to the strength of God's work here in Tipton. They have witnessed moments of triumph and tragedy, faith and fear, birth and death. Throughout the years, the church building and the pew have remained constant, connecting an ever-changing community of worshipers.

During my research, I found myself drawn to the deeper meaning of the word "church." I was drawn to include scripture from Matthew 16:18: "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." While we often use the term “church” to describe a building, I focused on the fact that when the Bible speaks of “Christ's Church on Earth,” it refers to the people—the believers who come together in faith. The Greek word “ekklesia”, which we translate as "church," literally means an "assembly" or "gathering of people." So, while the physical structure serves as a place for that gathering, it is the people—the congregation—who are truly the church. On that rock, Peter began to build the congregation of believers that continues today in Tipton.

With this understanding, I wanted the display to focus on the community of believers who have worshiped in this building and, from time to time, on this pew or others like it. What I realized is that the pew, having been used by generations of worshipers, connects today’s congregation to all those who have come before. The pew has borne witness to the faith of past congregations, and now it stands as a symbol of the ongoing connection between the past and present.

The display I’ve designed has four key features. In the upper left-hand corner is the Cross, reflecting Jesus’ sacrifice and redemption. This particular version of the cross is borrowed from an early piece of furniture in the church, crafted by one of your past congregation members. I won’t reveal where it is—it will be up to you to discover it, if you don’t already recognize it. What drew me to this depiction of the cross is the circle behind it, which I believe represents God’s infinite nature—without beginning or end -- reminding us of God’s eternal presence and love.

Given that the pew is over 160 years old, no one can tell me with certainty what kind of wood it was constructed from. From my observation and research, I believe it was made from 3 different woods, each relatively common in the Tipton area. The dark wood that formed the top molding is walnut; that one was easy. But there were two different species of wood that formed the bottom and the back of the seat. The first wood used in the seat was some sort of pine or fir. The second wood was harder to identify but I have concluded that it is butternut, also called white walnut.

While the exact type of wood used for the cross on which Jesus was crucified remains uncertain, I selected a small piece butternut from the pew. Affixed to the cross are old, hand-made nails I removed from the pew. Some are fashioned into the shape of a cross, while others extend from the wood to symbolize the crown of thorns and the nails that held Jesus to the cross. These nails serve as a reminder that, in our human frailty, we have all contributed to Jesus' suffering—but through His sacrifice, we are redeemed. The cross is inlaid into a decorative Hickory burl, and subtle backlighting highlights the cross, adding depth and reverence.

Toward the center of the display is a scale model of Trinity's original church building, made from the butternut wood from the pew and left unpainted and unfinished so you can see and touch the wood itself. The model extends outward by about 5 inches, creating a sense of depth and dimension. The tower at the center generally reflects the original church structure, without the modern additions. Each side of the front of the tower has its face boards removed to the studs to allow us to see inside. As we look inside we see a perspective view of the original church layout. The pews are also crafted from the original pew wood, representing the link between past and present congregations through shared faith and worship. While the congregation has evolved over the years, I hope this model serves as a reminder of its roots and its constant role in the spiritual life of Tipton.

Most of the right side of the display features a crossword puzzle that connects the names of all 59 pastors who have served this congregation. While it would be impractical to list the names of all the worshipers who have passed through the church’s doors, this feature represents the continuous thread, faith, that has woven the congregation together across generations. These are carved into the pine (or fir) from the pew.

The background is made from various woods I had in my shop and forms a scene with blue cloudy skies. The frame is made from Red Oak, because there was not sufficient wood from the pew to build it, with the walnut from the pew added as an inlay around the frame. Each of the corners has a symbol carved into it that I found in the church as I prepared to take on this project.

The church’s slogan “Where people are our Concern and God is our Guide” is, of course, included.

Through this project, I have sought to honor the connection between past and present, and I hope this display will serve as a reminder that the strength of this church lies not in its walls or pews, but in the people who have gathered here in faith, generation after generation.

Thank you for allowing me and my brothers and sisters at Woodworking for Warriors to be a small part of your church’s history.

Craig Courter
Artisan Woodworker
Member, Woodworking for Warriors (former Lieutenant, United States Navy)