Heraldry of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Arms of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

One of the world's largest cathedrals is quietly nestled in the upper west side of Manhattan. I remember my first visit there and simply wandering around, head fixed skyward, and in awe of the building's shear magnitude. The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine holds the cathedra for the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York and bears unique arms which I wanted to recreate.

Banner of arms, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The cathedral's arms are quite unique and make a clear Biblical reference to its dedication of St. John. 

The Rev. Canon Edward Nason West (1909-1990) was a canon of the cathedral and well versed in heraldry.  Canon West's arms are based on those granted to his mother by the College of Arms in 1951.

Arms granted to Isadora Angelina West by the College of Arms in 1951.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The blazon for the coat of arms for Isadora Angelina West was kindly shared by the Archives of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Arms:  Per pale Argent and Sable, a fess dancetty counterchanged in dexter chief a cross couped Sable.

Crest:  In front of a plate a griffin's head erased Sable beaked and gorged with a ducal coronet Or.

Motto:  Trewest

Coat of arms of The Rev. Canon Edward Nason West (1909-1990).
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Among Canon West's many contributions, he created the "Anglican Compass Rose" as a image showing unity amongst the global Anglican Communion.  The center features the arms of St. George and encircled with the Greek inscription of John 8:32, "the Truth will set you free."

The Anglican Compass Rose was designed by West in 1954 and later embedded in the floor at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, as well as the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and Canterbury Cathedral in England.

The Anglican Compass Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The Anglican Compass Rose was later rendered as a flag for the 1990 Lambeth Conference by The Rev. Andrew Notere.

The Anglican Compass Rose Flag.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

Make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, I highly recommend it.