ITEMS OF INTEREST

Red Doors

Like many churches, Episcopal parishes use red to let the world know what we're about. Red is the color of Christ's blood. It is a symbol of the sacrifice of the martyrs. It is the presence of the Holy Spirit. And it also marks the holy ground that lies beyond its doors. We like to think that red tells the world we're a safe place. We're a peaceful place. We're a place of refuge. Historically, churches painted their doors red to signal fleeing suspects that they were places of asylum (thank King Ethelbert's English law, circa 600 C.E.).

Source:  The Episcopal Handbook (Harrisburg, PA: 2008) p. 137