Recent Finds XI

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida and the Cathedral Church of St. Peter
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The Recent Finds Series is rolling through the summer and here we find more heraldry in the Episcopal Church.  The arms of the Diocese of Southwest Florida, along with the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg, were designed by Aimee H. Medary (1903-1973) who was the daughter of the Rev. Henry Martyn Medary (1871-1962) a noted heraldic designer in the church.  

Medary's design of arms for the diocese was made between 1969-1970 and blazoned:

"Party of three; in chief per pale argent, a pelican in its piety vulning itself, proper; and azure, a mullet of the first; the base parted fesswise wavy or, a setting sun gules issuing from the fess line, and argent two barrulets wavy of the second, within a bordure of the arms of the Diocese of South Florida, to wit: quarterly the first sable, the second and third argent, the fourth azure; a cross gules, fimbriated of the second" ("Artist designs diocesan banner," 1970, 6-B). 

The bordure of the arms are also used within the arms of the Diocese of Southeast Florida and based on the former Diocese of South Florida--the later was divided in 1969 to create several new dioceses.  

L-R: Arms of the Episcopal Dioceses of Southeast Florida and Central Florida
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Medary incorporated similar elements into her design for the Cathedral Church of St. Peter in St. Petersburg.  Medary's blazon for the cathedral's coat of arms:

"Party per pale, the Dexter parted fesswise wavy or, a setting sun in his splendor gules issuing from the fess line; and argent, three barrulets wavy azure: the Sinister of the second, a Latin cross inverted of the third debruised by two keys of the first in saltire" ("Heraldry used in church seal," 1970, 6-B).  

Both of Medary's designs work in harmony together providing the Diocese of Southwest Florida and its cathedral unique identification.

Arms of St. George's Episcopal Church, Dayton, OH
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of St. George's Episcopal Church in Dayton, OH were designed by the current rector, the Rev. Benjamin T.S. Phillips.  Phillips' use of a chevron in chief is an architectural reference to the red gable found on the parish's building, and creates a bespoke coat of arms identifying the parish while differencing the arms of St. George at the same time (Personal communication, B. Phillips, May 28, 2025). 

Arms of Trinity Episcopal Church (now merged) in Ossining, NY
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Trinity Episcopal Church in Ossining, NY has since merged and these arms are now considered historical.  I'm unable to locate any data or blazon information regarding Trinity's arms, but several elements readily explain themselves within the design.  

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of New York
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The red cross of St. George is likely a reference to the parish's Anglican heritage, while the attributed arms of the Holy Trinity in base show its dedication.  The bordure of the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of New York help locate the parish as one within the see. 

To read more articles in the Recent Finds Series, click on the corresponding label below.

Works Cited

Artist designs diocesan banner. (1970, July 25).  The Evening Independent, 6-B.

Heraldry used in church seal. (1970, July 25).  The Evening Independent, 6-B.