THE NEEDLEWORK OF POHICK CHURCH

By Jacqueline Wells

Assisted by Joan Stanford-Jeffries

Did you know?

• The needlework at Pohick Church was initiated in 1972. Two members of the church, a designer and a needleworker, offered their services to start this project.
• The Communion Kneelers, which were designed by an artist in New York and presented to the church by the Regents of Gunston Hall, were the first needlework pieces to be dedicated in Pohick Church.
• The Chancel Chair Seats were the first pieces of needlework to be designed and worked by members of the church.
• The Two Banners, the See of London (circa 1774), and the Coat of Arms of the Diocese of Virginia, took three and one-half years to complete, and were dedicated in 1976.
• The Chancel Carpet was designed by Claudia Wuigk in 1982. Mrs. Wuigk designed the carpet keeping in mind the actions of the priest in preparation of Holy Communion - embracing the Holy Table with the same lines of the arms of the priest when he elevates the sacraments making the Holy Table the focal point as the sacraments are the focal point.
• The name POHICK in the carpet design, which was derived from the Indian name Pohickory, means hickory grove, and was the basis for including the leaves of the hickory tree.
• The state flower of Virginia, the dogwood, is included in the carpet design.
• The central panel of the carpet is designed with the dove, grapes, and wheat, which signifies the Church in all seasons. The hickory foliage is also represented in four seasons.
• The Christian family is symbolized in the carpet design by the ivy and holly plants with fruit.
• The carpet was designed as a single unit, but divided into 20 panels to be easily worked.
• The Chancel Carpet won a “Red Ribbon” at the Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition in 1982.
• The Book Marker for the Holy Bible is appliquéd with symbols from the Old and New Testament on a blue satin background.
• Pohick has a beautiful Bridal Kneeler designed and worked by Joan Stanford-Jeffries.
• When all finished and dedicated, there will be 32 pew seat cushions designed and worked by members and friends of Pohick.

With this symbolic information, try to find and identify the trees or flowers on the Chancel carpet that with the first letter spells “POHICK.” All needlework was performed voluntarily to the Glory of God and to make beautiful His House. As the media says...Stay tuned for more on the Needlework of Pohick.