Elise Woodward Stutzer left a bequest in 1976 that enabled the church to commission the “Cloud of Witness” mural (Hebrews 12:1-2) that now surrounds the sanctuary.

Hank Prussing, then a recent graduate of Pratt Institute, conceived the mural to reflect the diversity of the community and the church. He went out into the streets of Fort Greene, taking photographs of neighborhood people and activities.

In contrast to the stained-glass windows which showcase the reverence and grandeur of worship, the mural wrapping around the sanctuary brings home the essential role the surrounding community plays to this vibrant church’s continuing mission of service.

Hank Prussing wrote about his mural: “Though they (the images) may appear to be composed of random groupings, each mural does have its own theme; each explores a different aspect of human nature, expressed in a different way by every character portrayed in the mural. And, each theme springs from the underlying ideas of the art glass windows link one mural to the next, as the viewer looks around the sanctuary. The resulting cycle is an extended portrait of the richly diverse neighborhood and an apt visual expression of the Lafayette Avenue Church’s motto: A church with a historic past serving the present day.” (from Notes from the Artist, c1978)

In 2018, the artist returned to this amazing space for a discussion, recollections and Q&A. View the video, produced in collaboration with Pratt Institute, at our YouTube Channel #lapcbrooklyn

How to support the Sanctuary Ceiling & Pipe Organ Project Capital Campaign:

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Whether large or small, your gifts are needed and appreciated to make this project a reality. All donations to the Sanctuary Ceiling & Pipe Organ Project Capital Campaign will be restricted solely for the purposes of this campaign. Thank you!