In the center of the ceiling, at the church’s crossing, a grand sun radiates with the inscription “Gloria in excelsis Deo” - “Glory to God in the highest.” The light flows out over the entire ceiling and down to the pictorial motifs in the vaults of the four naves. The motifs in the east, north, and south naves are drawn from the three articles of faith. In the west nave, we find individual figures of the four evangelists and four prophets.
The Apse Panels
At the end of each of the east, north, and south naves, we find the apse panels of the ceiling painting. These three panels depict three different Christ figures: In the east nave, which constitutes the church’s choir, we see the creating Christ. In the north nave, the fighting and victorious Christ is depicted, and in the south nave, the baptized Christ is portrayed. In all three panels, the tree of life appears in different variations. The dove and the Christ figures’ outstretched arms, with hands in various positions, are also recurring elements. See photos of the apse panels in the photo album at the bottom of the page.
The East Nave
The east nave is at the front of the church and constitutes the choir. Here, we find the ceiling painting’s Creation Vault, named after the motif painted in the apse panel: Christ in Creation. The motifs in the Creation Vault are drawn from the Old Testament.
The picture above shows the Creation Vault in the church’s choir.
The North Nave
The church’s north nave is to the left when you enter. The ceiling paintings here constitute the Christ Vault, named after the motif painted in the north nave’s apse panel: Christ in battle and victory. The images in the north nave are taken from the life of Jesus and follow the second article of faith.
In the picture above, we see the Christ Vault in the north nave.
The South Nave
The church’s south nave is to the right when you enter. Here, we find the Holy Spirit Vault in the ceiling painting. The apse panel of the south nave depicts the baptism of Jesus. The images in the south nave illustrate the life of the church and are based on the third article of faith.
In the picture above, we see the Holy Spirit Vault in the south nave.
The West Nave
The first nave we enter is the west nave. Here, in the West Vault, above the gallery, the motifs in the ceiling painting consist of the four evangelists of the New Testament and four of the prophets from the Old Testament.
In the picture above, we see the four evangelists and four prophets.