St. Andrew Catholic Church

Tipton, Missouri

St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tipton, Missouri, has been a community touchstone for over 140 years. After the exterior of the building was addressed through window protection and steeple restoration, interior renovations focused on decorative painting. Vaulted ceilings with wooden ribs frame this Gothic interior, elegantly presenting an austere color scheme with gold accents. Custom stencils took inspiration from the historic interior to revitalize delicate patterns along the walls and ceilings. These botanical motifs, visible in historical photographs, display a garden of paradise, showcasing a glimpse of heaven. Flowers and vines frame structural intricacies which complement the existing framework and harmonize this Gothic space.

Along the nave walls, quatrefoils combining a circle and square emphasize the harmony between earthly and heavenly realms. Near the apex of these pointed arches, ten quatrefoils contain branches in the shape of a cross and vines in a crown of thorns to represent Christ’s Crucifixion. Five of these quatrefoils contain Christograms while five contain visual symbols as central imagery, allowing for duality and balance of both text and image.

Numerical symbolism is further established within groin stencils that branch off of the Corinthian columns, as finial iris blooms contain five-pointed petals representing the five wounds of Jesus. These deep red flowers border the golden ribs, emphasizing the vaulted ceiling panels.

Stencils within the frieze and wainscot border feature bilateral symmetry with intricate patterning. Repetition of these interconnected motifs along arch intradas and panel borders recall Christ’s message in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches.”

Revival of the original decoration of this historic church has allowed parishioners to experience the environment in which founding members gathered for worship. Motifs incorporating vines and branches are not only historical visuals, but also emphasize the interconnectedness of the religious community in Tipton. The reinvigorated church interior allows visually rooted Catholic traditions to aid in contemporary devotional practices.