This tradition of "praying with hands" is still alive at St. Martin's.

The rebirth of the church's Needlepoint Project began in March 2000 with modest expectations when Daphne Raasch, Helen "Toysie" Walker and Charlotte Hood approached the rector, the Rev. Robert Tate, with a proposal. Their vision was to bring parishioners together during renovations to stitch needlepoint kneelers for the newly constructed Communion rail.

The three women visited churches in Pennsylvania and Delaware to review their needlework designs and techniques. Finding the right artist for the project was essential because painting on needlepoint canvas, so others can then follow the pattern, requires artistry as well as technical skill.

Matching colors and styles
After meeting with her and reviewing her portfolio, they chose Jeanne Bauer of Cambridge Studio in Virginia. Bauer visited St. Martin's, where she noted the color palette of the church's interior and, with help from the clergy, selected religious symbols and developed a needlepoint design plan specific to the church and its liturgy.

Eventually, church members created 18 altar-rail kneelers stitched in honey, green and pink, a center flower kneeler, a wedding kneeler, four sedilia cushions, two prie-deux kneelers, a bishop's chair cushion with the seal of the Diocese of Pennsylvania and a coordinating hassock.

The needlepoint project became such a success that, after completing the altar-rail kneelers, the volunteer stitchers wanted to continue. Their enthusiasm enabled the project to extend to pew hassocks for the nave.

Walker and Raasch created 10 designs for the first 60 canvases. All have the same red background taken from the color of the floor tiles and wall bricks. A recurring design on each hassock is the universal symbol of the "earth square," a magical protection based on an ancient idea that the earth had four guardian spirits who stood at the four corners of the earth and held up the sky.

During the four-year stitching process, volunteers met on Sunday afternoons for fellowship and encouragement. It was labor-intensive work. It takes about one hour to stitch one square inch of needlepoint, which contains 169 stitches. Each of the altar-rail kneelers contained 76,000 stitches.

A spiritual exercise
"What the members of the needlepoint committee understood from the beginning and what I and the people of St. Martin's have come to understand over the past seven years is the deep spirituality of every aspect of this needlepoint project," said Tate, rector for 10 years.

"These beautiful cushions reflect our theology of creation, that we are stewards of God's creation and co-creators with God," he said. "They reflect our theology of incarnation – that Jesus revealed God's nature as love. The images and symbols used in the needlepoint tell the story of Jesus reflected in the seasons of the liturgical year.

"The cushions also reflect our theology of the Resurrection. Every cushion is an anamnesis, a remembrance: either a memorial to the dead or a thanksgiving to the living."

Thirty-seven parishioners participated in the stitching. "Each has rejoiced in a job well done," said Raasch. "This initiative has enriched the lives of all associated with it, and the work continues with the creation of more pew hassocks."

The Needlepoint Project has grown to more than 140 volunteers. Currently, there are no now 48 of the first 60 stitched hassocks in the nave.

Continuing maintenance also is required. A little more than two years ago, the rector commissioned a Needlepoint Guild of volunteers to care for and maintain the kneelers, cushions and hassocks. Members vacuum the needlepoint every two weeks and observe each piece for damage or stains.

"The Needlepoint Project at St. Martin's will continue for many years, and new participants are always welcome in this ministry," said Raasch. "While the major pieces that make up the altar area are complete, pew-hassock stitching is ongoing."

Concluded Walker, "The project reflects deep spiritual convictions as well as commemorating the lives of past and present members of the church."

The Story of the St. Martin's Needlepoint Project, a 32-page full color booklet that includes the history of the 19th-century church and an account of Chestnut Hill culture and architecture, is available for $15 from St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, 8000 St. Martin's Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19118.

Portions of this story by Mike Walls are reprinted with permission from the Chestnut Hill Local.