Arms of Christ Church Philadelphia

Arms of Christ Church (Episcopal) in Philadelphia, PA
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of Christ Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are resplendent and richly identify this special parish community.  I recently found these arms as I continue my personal quest to discover sound heraldry in the Episcopal Church--I wanted to share right away.  To read other articles in the Recent Finds Series, click on the corresponding label at the end of the post.

According to Gough (1995), the parish arms were designed in the late 1950s by Dr. Harold Bowditch (1883-1964), a prominent member of the New England Committee on Heraldry.

Arms of Christ Church, Philadelphia
Source: Gough (1995), pg 372

The arms as illustrated above from Gough (1995) give us a lot of information for constructing a blazon; however, the tinctures for the field and mitre are but a guess at this point sans hatching.

We do learn a bit regarding Bowditch's rationale: the crossed swords reference the Diocese of London, three plates on a black fess for the founder of Pennsylvania William Penn (1644-1718), and the mitre for Bishop William White (1748-1836), first bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.

Bowditch clearly followed the framework for corporate heraldry Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) used consistently throughout his heraldic work.  In the arms of Christ Church, we have geographical identification (Penn) tied together with historical references for both colonial (London) and diocese (White), and designed in the simplest form possible.  Bingo!

Azure or Gules for the field?
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I chose red for the field based on the Diocese of London reference; however, most arms dedicated to Christ Church in the Episcopal/Anglican tradition use blue owing to the arms of Canterbury Cathedral.

My blazon for the arms of Christ Church, Philadelphia:  Gules, two swords in saltire Argent hilt and pommel Or ensigned by a miter Proper debruised by a fess Sable thereon three plates.

The color blue works just as well.  I'll update this with any new information.  

WORKS CITED

Gough, Deborah M. (1995). Christ Church, Philadelphia: The Nation's Church in a Changing City. University of Pennsylvania Press, pg 372.

Recent Finds Special Edition: The Arms of Christ Church Cathedral

Arms of Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

It began as a flag.  A recent search online yielded the most exciting image, one I've yet to encounter--a parish flag.  Usually, it's the other way around for me, translating a coat of arms into a flag.  Not this time.  So the Recent Finds Series now adds another special edition post highlighting this hidden gem.  To read other articles in the series, click on the corresponding label at the end.  

The new flag of what was then Christ Church parish (now cathedral) was unveiled in the Spring of 1921 and illustrated in The Living Church.  

The Parish Flag of Christ Church
Image source: The Living Church (1921 May 21), 91

Even more exciting, at least to me, the article names the designer along with a brief rationale.  Did I mention the hatching too?  Huzzah!  I cannot express how thankful I was to have all this data in one place.  Again, most unusual.

The Rev. Henry Martyn Medary (1871-1962), an Episcopal priest in Pennsylvania was responsible for creating this gorgeous ensign for Christ Church.  The crispness of Medary's design is equal to his rationale:

"Its field of gold corresponds with the field of the arms of Wisconsin. A large red cross cut through the field symbolizes the name of the parish, Christ Church.  Four 'fountains' (discs with white and blue waves) suggest the rivers on which Eau Claire is situated, and also the meaning of the word, 'Wisconsin,' which is supposed to stand for 'wild rushing channel.'

"In the center of the cross a gold fleur-de-lis indicates the early French settlers of the state. Through the arms of the cross run two 'pales raguly,' heraldic symbols for timber, suggesting the lumber industry upon which this portion of Wisconsin grew up" (The Living Church, 21 May 1921, 91).

The blazon I offer for the arms of Christ Church Cathedral in Eau Claire, WI:  Or, between two pales raguly Vert debruised in fess a cross throughout Gules thereon a fleur-de-lis of the field between four fountains.  

I turned to Pierre de Chaignon la Rose's (1872-1941) blazon constructed for the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy as my guide.  Click here to learn more about the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy.  

Armorial flag and coat of arms of Christ Church Cathedral in Eau Claire, WI
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I wonder if Medary was closely following la Rose's work?  I suspect so, or at least Medary was a student of heraldry.  I've yet to encounter another designer's work produced at la Rose's level this early in the 20th century.  Whenever I would discover a coat of arms dated between 1910-1940 without attribution for its designer, I would proudly say, "no one else [except la Rose] was capable of this work at such-and-such a time in the US."  Thanks to Medary's gift of ecclesiastical heraldry in 1921, I no longer speak those words.

Medary was a member of the Diocese of Pennsylvania's committee responsible for proposing a seal and coat of arms back in 1902-1904.  Since la Rose designed the Diocese of Pennsylvania's arms, Medary would be quite familiar with his work.  Nonetheless, Medary would continue to make several heraldic contributions to advance sound heraldry in the Episcopal Church. 

Carpeting behind the main altar inside Christ Church Cathedral, Eau Claire, WI
Image source:  Cathedral Facebook page

My search for evidence to see if these arms are presently used produced one artifact--and I had to squint in order to catch it too.

On a carpet behind the cathedral's main altar is an embroidered image of the coat of arms.  The image of the arms on the carpet is the only rendering I could find online.  Perhaps the cathedral community is unaware of their arms so beautifully arranged and published 104 years ago?  Surely not!

The armorial flags of the Episcopal Church and Christ Church Cathedral in saltire
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I believe this may be the first instance these arms have been digitally rendered in full color.  Simply lovely. 

Works Cited

The Living Church. (1921 May 21). A parish flag. The Living Church, 65(3), 91.

Recent Finds Series: St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake

Arms of St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake (Episcopal) in Chicago
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

A recent discovery online and worthy of sharing, the coat of arms of St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake in Chicago, Illinois.  In my ongoing challenge to seek and find heraldry in the Episcopal Church to better understand how the American heraldic tradition has been shaped, as well as to prove this ancient art is alive and thriving in the US today, the arms of St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake came as a pleasant surprise.

To read other articles in the Recent Finds Series, click on the label at the end of the post.

One immediate observation was the parish arms completely avoid any use of the attributed arms to Saint Paul.  The seemingly use of the reverse pall cross to show unification with the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is another feature rarely seen in parish arms.  In this article, I'll cover both the arms of the parish and those of the diocese as well.  

Side by Side Comparison:  Arms of the Diocese of Chicago and St. Paul's Church By-The-Lake
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The parish arms make effective use of geographical identification using barry wavy in base for what I could only see as a reference for Lake Michigan.  The sword provides the only reference to Saint Paul with stark simplicity.  The parish arms are simple and clear; heraldry at its best.  As of now, I do not know who designed the arms for the parish.  Hopefully, we can learn in time.  

Current logo in use by the parish
Image source: Parish Facebook page

Several renderings of the parish arms have 1) the sword with hilt to chief/point to base, and 2) the field behind the sword is a lighter blue than the barry wavy in base, likely for contrast.  The current logo seen above omits the barry wavy altogether.  

Without a blazon, I used artistic license for simple corrections to match carvings of the arms found in the sanctuary.  To me, the carvings appear correctly rendered.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (pre-1919)
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago were designed by Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) and adopted by the see in 1904 (Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, 1904, 29-31).  

La Rose's proposed revision
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Cram's heraldic partner, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) would later critique the design in Cram's own journal, Christian Art.  La Rose (1907) writes:

"Chicago. Gules, on a pairle reversed azure fimbriated argent, between three crosses-crosslet of the last, as many fleurs-de-lis, the two inferior ones chevronways, or; on an inescutcheon or a phoenix gules.

"This shield - a beautifully balanced design seems to me a trifle too elaborate. Furthermore, because of the position of the inescutcheon, it is under suspicion of being a compound coat. By raising the inescutcheon in chief one may, to be sure, destroy some of the beauty of the composition, but the shield will become unassailable on the score of heraldic logic and grammar, which is not quite the case at present. The seal of the diocese has three objectionable features among the external ornaments of the shield. It places a motto upon the fanons of the mitre, a procedure for which I can find no heraldic precedent (furthermore, no bishop ever went about with a motto hanging down his back, attached to his pontifical head- gear) . It shows a doubly warded key a corrupted form for two keys.  And it displays a sword, to which, as an external ornament, neither diocese nor bishop has the least right. 

"I know that as the cathedral is dedicated to SS . Peter and Paul, it was thought that in this way the seal might honour both of these saints.  But a sword used as an external ornament to episcopal arms has, heraldically, nothing whatever to do with St. Paul, but denotes solely that the bishop possesses the feudal jus gladii, a right which the bishops of Chicago do not possess. The sword should be removed from the seal as an impropriety. Taken in conjunction with the inescutcheon as at present placed, it would seem to indicate that the bishop, in addition to his episcopal state, sets up to be also mayor or high sheriff of Chicago" (66-67).

Note the blazon cited above is la Rose's interpretation and not official.   

Cram did not relent and his design remained.  I wonder just what kind of friendship these two had, after all they did a lot of work together over the years.  Perhaps Cram chalked it up as la Rose simply being himself.  A good friend, I gather, knows the difference.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The blazon for the arms of diocese, however, were never officially recorded when the see adopted arms in 1904.  Any heraldry enthusiast knows that the blazon is of paramount importance.  Some 15 years later, the question of the diocese's blazon would finally be settled.

"Unfortunately, the 'blazoning' of the seal was not recorded at the time [1904 convention], and in order that there may be no doubt as to its proper coloring, the remaining members of the committee ask to have the correct description, as given by Mr. Cram, entered in the Journal.

"Blazoning of the Seal:--Arms: On a shield, gules voided argent, between three crosses crosslet, argent, a pall reversed, azure, voided argent, bearing three fleurs-de-lis or.  On an inescutcheon, argent, a phoenix rising from the flames, gules" (Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, 1919, 61). 

As far as I can tell, the codified blazon contains two major changes:  1) the addition of a silver outline within the shield, and 2) changing the metal on the inescutcheon from gold to silver.  Frankly, silver works much better with the inescutcheon.  I cannot, however, explain the silver outline or its importance.

Chicago and the backstory of all her heraldry forever maintains a prominent place in the American heraldic tradition.

To learn about the saga surrounding the arms of the University of Chicago, click here.   Don't forget the Catholics!  The story of the Archdiocese of Chicago's arms and its foundations can be found here.

Works Cited

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (1904).  Journal of the proceedings of the sixty-seventh annual convention of the Church in Chicago.  Diocese of Chicago, 29-31.

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago (1919).  Journal of the proceedings of the eighty-second annual convention of the Church in the Diocese Chicago.  Diocese of Chicago.

La Rose, Pierre de C. (1907).  Ecclesiastical heraldry in America, II. Diocesan arms.  Christian Art, 2(2).

Recent Finds Series: Arms of Roman Catholic Parishes

Arms of Pope Leo XIV and various US Catholic parishes
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

In honor of Pope Leo XIV's election, I'm sharing several recently discovered arms for US Roman Catholic parishes found online.  

Arms of Pope Leo XIV
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Middle Row (L-R):  St. Rose of Lima, Haddon Heights, NJ; Sts. Peter & Paul, West Chester, PA; and St. Margaret's, Rumford, RI

Bottom Row (L-R):  St. Francis of Assisi, Jefferson, NC; St. Anne, Hampton, NJ

Below are my three favorite arms from this group.

Arms of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, West Chester, PA
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in West Chester, PA differenced their arms with a new color scheme and I believe the green really pops here.  Using a silver chain to link the two gold keys adds a nice detail too.

Arms of St. Margaret's Catholic Church, Rumford, RI
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025 

By switching the cross's color from red to black makes a striking difference in the arms of St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Rumford, RI. 

Arms of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Jefferson, NC
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Lastly, the coat of arms of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Jefferson, NC are lovely canting arms with the Tau cross and knot from the arms of US President Thomas Jefferson.  Brilliantly designed!

Recent Finds Special Edition: The Arms of Christ Church

The coat of arms of Christ Church (Episcopal) in Alto, Tennessee
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I saw the most unusual post recently via Facebook's Ecclesiastical Heraldry group immediately catching my attention.  While Roman Catholic heraldry usually dominates group discussion, I tend to perk up whenever the focus shifts to Episcopal Church heraldry.  This special posting began as a mystery, but one wrapped as a gift to me from the heraldic gods.

Based on data in my ongoing project collecting both US scholastic and heraldry from the Episcopal Church, I offer a few data-informed insights to help us understand the design rationale and identify the designer of the arms for Christ Church (Episcopal) in Alto, TN.

Abstract Clues

Needlepoint cushion depicting the arms of Christ Church Alto, TN
Image source:  Facebook Ecclesiastical Heraldry Group 

The cleric posting his query is resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee and was seeking insight regarding a coat of arms for a parish in his diocese which closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Immediately, wheels began turning and I started thinking critically about this unusual design for a parish coat of arms in the Episcopal Church.  I assert that Dr. J. Waring McCrady (b.1938) from The University of the South designed the arms for Christ Church in Alto during the late 20th century.

Allow me to cite my data. 

Clue #1 - Location

Christ Church located in Alto, Tennessee
Image Source:  Parish Facebook page

I knew somewhere in my past that I was familiar with the parish in question.  I've heard the name many times.

Christ Church located in Alto, Tennessee lies at the base of the Holy Mountain where the Domain of my alma mater Sewanee: The University of the South dominates the landscape.  The University and its School of Theology are but a stone's throw from where Christ Church is located.  Also, both university and parish are situated within the bounds of the Diocese of Tennessee.  When I was a seminarian at Sewanee, I recall many classmates attending Christ Church which frequently was supplied by ordained faculty members from the School of Theology.  

It would not be out of the question for Dr. McCrady to design arms for a nearby parish.  However, I have not seen or discovered any parish arms designed by the French professor and this fact did give me pause when attributing him as the designer.  

Note the bell tower in the photograph above which likely explains the bell in the base of the parish arms.

Yet, we know McCrady designed corporate arms for others outside of the university due to his status as the former chair of the Advisory Committee on Heraldry.  General Convention (1982) notes that the General Convention in 1982 gave the Presiding Bishop authorization to create this new advisory group concerning matters of church heraldry; however Wright (2005) reveals the committee met only once and without minutes or records from the discussion.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

One example of McCrady's work outside of Sewanee can be found in the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, adopted by the see in 1971.

McCrady's blazon for the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast: "Barry wavy of seven Or and Azure, an anchor in pale Gules; on a chief of the third a dove descending Proper between two saltires couped of the first" (Diocese of Central Gulf Coast, n.d.). 

Clue #2 - The Pale

Quilted processional banner of arms of Christ Church Alto, TN
Image Source:  Facebook Ecclesiastical Heraldry Group

The Facebook post contained two images of the parish coat of arms--a needlepoint cushion and a quilted processional banner.  When I began comparing the two images, I noticed that the pale on the banner was not entirely in gold which seemed rather odd and out of place.  

Below is my rendering of how the processional banner should appear if my guess regarding a solid gold pale is correct.  I continue to follow Pierre de Chaignon la Rose's (1872-1941) design methods for processional banners, which I call processional banners of arms.  Click here to see more examples of la Rose's design method for processional banners.

Processional banner of arms, Christ Church in Alto, TN
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Thinking more about what I was seeing on the needlepoint cushion led me to believe that the banner's rendering must have been the result of an artistic error.  There would be no need to counterchange the chevron as seen on the quilted banner.  The cushion seemed correct in my mind, and immediately raised questions about the third clue staring me in the face.

Clue #3 - Counterchanging 

L-R: Arms of The University of the South, Christ Church Alto, TN, and The School of Theology
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

When tertiary charges, or elements, of the same metal or color are placed over an ordinary, the designer has to make a decision in order to avoid violating the rule of tincture.  In other words, metal cannot be placed upon another metal and the same goes for colors.  

Why?  Simple.  

If you're standing on a 13th century European battlefield as a knight covered in metal armor from head to toe, those abstract designs painted on shields offer the only identification of friend or foe.  Gold and silver might not contrast enough on a shield, for example, and failure to notice the difference could mean life or death.  Therefore, we avoid using color on color and metal on metal even in the 21st century.

In preparation for the University of the South's 125th anniversary celebration, McCrady's designs for new arms identifying the university, its undergraduate college, and the seminary were adopted in 1983.  Click here to read my article on the heraldry of the University of the South.  His design work prominently featured the newly created Sewanee tressure unifying all three coats of arms.  

McCrady (1983) offers the following blazons for the arms of the University of the South and its School of Theology:

"Blazon for the arms of The University of the South:  Purpure, a cross pall Or overall a double tressure long-crossed and counter long-crossed counterchanged (known as the Sewanee tressure).

"Blazon for the arms of The School of Theology, University of the South:  Gules on a cross Or surmounted by a Sewanee tressure counter-changed a crossed fleam Sable" (30).

As seen in the illustration above, when the Sewanee tressure is overlaid upon the ordinary in the arms of the university and the seminary, McCrady counterchanges the colors to avoid violating the rule of tincture.  It is a bit decadent, I believe, and I can only recall McCrady employing this technique within both US scholastic and Episcopal Church heraldry.  I won't lie when I say it took weeks to figure out how to digitally create this counterchanged Sewanee tressure in Adobe Illustrator.  

Thanks be to God for clipping masks...   

The counterchanged chevron and corresponding cross crosslets fitchy hightened my suspicion of a McCrady design for a parish.  I felt as though I was on the verge of actually seeing one and having data supporting my theory.

One final clue helped put matters to rest regarding the parish arms.

Clue #4 - Corporate Unification

The coat of arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

McCrady's designs for the University of the South continue a proud, albeit small, tradition in American heraldry of illustrating unification in corporate arms.  Two early examples of unification in arms can be found for both Episcopal Church and US scholastic heraldry in the early 20th century.

The first example of this phenomenon used in Episcopal Church heraldry was la Rose's design work for the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy and its cathedral.  Click here to learn more about la Rose and the arms of the Diocese of Quincy and the Cathedral of St. John.

US scholastic heraldry produced its first example to illustrate unification not long after la Rose's work in Quincy, seen on the campus of Kenyon College in Ohio.  Click here to learn about The Rev. Canon Watson's designs for Kenyon College and its seminary.

A garb of wheat in heraldry

The idea of abstractly creating a charge or design element that could be used to show unification between the corporate sole and its foundation(s) was important to McCrady.  The sprigs of wheat in the arms of Christ Church likely hold dual references--geographical and unification.  Let me explain.

Arms of Christ Church (Episcopal) in Alto, TN
Rendered by Chad Krouse

The best corporate heraldry, in my opinion, follows a carefully constructed framework producing bespoke identification for the organizational bearer of those arms.  Geographical location, topographical features, saintly dedication, and even local history provide important building blocks when designing corporate coats of arms.  

The seal of the State of Tennessee, as well as the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Tennessee, feature the garb of wheat within their design.  I believe McCrady used these sprigs of wheat in the arms of Christ Church Alto to illustrate 1) the rural/agricultural landscape surrounding the parish, and 2) identify it as a parish church in the State and Diocese of Tennessee.   

Following McCrady's blazon he constructed for the arms of the University of the South, I offer the following:

Blazon for the arms of Christ Church Episcopal in Alto, TN:  Vert, on a pale Or surmounted by a chevron Argent counterchanged Sable and charged with three cross crosslets fitchy counterchanged a bell in base of the field between two sprigs of wheat Or.

What a gift to discover a parish coat of arms by McCrady illustrating parish unification with its diocese.  So far, this new find represents a first to illustrate such unification and clearly got me excited.  Kindly let me know your thoughts.  

Works Cited

Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast (n.d.).  Our Seal.  Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.  https://www.diocgc.org/about-us

General Convention (1982).  Journal of the 67th General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church.  Seabury Professional Services.

McCrady, J. W. (1983).  After 125 years completing the university's heraldry. The Sewanee News, 49(1), 29-30.

Wright, J.R. (2005 May 26).  Heraldry of the American Episcopal Church [Lecture summary].  New York Genealogical and Biographical Society.  https://silo.tips/download/heraldry-of-the-american-episcopal-church#modals

The Arms of Johns Hopkins University

The seal and coat of arms of The Johns Hopkins University
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

With the Great 50 days of Easter now in full swing, I'd like to return to some new heraldic discoveries among our academies.  Today, I want to feature a fairly well known coat of arms, albeit one with a plot twist.  To read other articles in this series focusing on corporate heraldry shaping the American tradition, click the tag at the end of this post.

For a quick recap:  several months ago I challenged myself to seek and find good corporate heraldry in the Episcopal Church, civic/social organizations, and my other favorite category of scholastic coats of arms.  I wanted to build a dataset of those corporate bodies bearing coats of arms that shape the American heraldic tradition, as well as to prove this ancient art is alive and thriving in the US today.   

Coat of arms of Johns Hopkins University
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is another example of arms that I did not pay much attention to over the years.  Why?  Given the only emblazonments seen of the university's arms are entangled within its vesica seal likely kept me from digging any further.  As a result of taking on the task of rendering those arms discovered online, I know that how these arms were presented created my issue.  

When I began to render the seal and actually look at the design, the disparate elements began to make sense to me.  What I once saw as fussy now has layers of meaning.  I recall reading in Col. Harry D. Temple's (1911-2004) Heraldry and the Diocese of Virginia, in which he noted the use of oak leaves in scholastic coats of arms as a way to denote strength.  I never considered this image of acorns and leaves in Johns Hopkins' ensigns to be anything more than mere doodles.  I was wrong.         

These arms continue to grow on me, even with the Calvert-Crossland quarterings that seemingly overpower everything. I sense there must be another way to illustrate geographical location for the university rather than blithely use the arms of Maryland.  Ah, too late.  

Adopted by its board of trustees on 7 December 1885, the seal and coat of arms of this private research university were collaboratively designed by Clayton C. Hall, a prominent Baltimore historian and Stephen Tucker, then Somerset Herald at the College of Arms in London (Johns Hopkins University, n.d.).  Plot twist...heralds at work on an American design in the 19th century.

Having evidence of the College of Arms creating a scholastic coat prior to the 20th century is assuredly an outlier in my data--the College of William & Mary notwithstanding.  I have evidence of the herald's college involved with designing arms for Bryn Mawr College (1903-1904) and the University of Chicago (1911-1912), but those would come later.  Furthermore, it is altogether possible that Johns Hopkins' commission to the College of Arms may have created a precedent that the University of Chicago (also a private research university) would later follow with their restudy.  Perhaps a missing piece of the puzzle now coming into focus.  Thus, this London-based plot twist was an exciting revelation.

L-R: Coats of arms of Bryn Mawr College and the University of Chicago
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

One observation:  it appears that the go-to differencing mark used by the heralds at that time in corporate arms is the chief,  Johns Hopkins and University of Chicago illustrate this point.   Click here to learn about the coat of arms of the University of Chicago.  

Armorial flag, Johns Hopkins University
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The date of armorial adoption places the university in the top 5 US academic institutions bearing coats of arms.  As this is a ongoing project there will be some seat swapping as new data emerges.  For now, these are the current top five oldest academic institutions in the US with coats of arms along with their adoption date:

1. Harvard University - 1643

2. College of William & Mary - 1694

3. Yale University - 1740

4. Brown University - 1833

5. Johns Hopkins University - 1885

The university's arms look sharp as an armorial flag.  The quartered crosses bottony are supposed to be stretched as illustrated, unfortunately.  

Blazon for the arms of Johns Hopkins University:  Quarterly 1st and 4th, paly of six Or and Sable a bend counterchanged (Calvert); 2nd and 3rd, quarterly Argent and Gules, a cross bottony counterchanged (Crossland); on a chief Azure a terrestrial globe between two open books bound and edged Or.

Works Cited

Johns Hopkins University (n.d.).  Academic seal.  Johns Hopkins University, https://brand.jhu.edu/visual-identity/university-marks/#academic-seal

Temple, Harry D. (1971).  Heraldry and the Diocese of Virginia.  Privately printed.

Recent Finds Special Edition: Arms of St. Anne's Parish

Coat of arms of St. Anne's Episcopal Parish, Annapolis, MD
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Founded in 1692, St. Anne's Episcopal Church located in Annapolis, Maryland proudly boasts more than 333 years of proclaiming the Gospel in North America and stands tall among the oldest houses of worship in the US.  There's loads of information online regarding St. Anne's history, so let's focus on its heraldry.

I want to especially thank Eric Fredland, the parish historian for St. Anne's Episcopal Church, for his corrections and insights regarding the parish arms.  

One of the more interesting coats of arms that I've discovered online during my search for corporate heraldry shaping the American tradition, are those of St. Anne's Parish.  These arms stand out boldly, much like a peacock.  Certainly not in a bad way, but rather unusual when compared to arms from its brother and sister parishes.  Then again, most of those faith communities have not been around for more than 300 years.  

The designer, a well educated cleric whose published extensively on American colonial Anglicanism, would abstractly combine parish history and its location to create these unique arms for St. Anne's.

St. Anne's banner led by the parish processional cross inside Washington National Cathedral
during an Acolyte Festival
Image Source: Washington National Cathedral Facebook page

The Rev. Canon Arthur Pierce Middleton (1916-2020) sounds like the perfect guest for a dinner party, given his wide range of life experiences.  Take a minute to read Bay Journal's article celebrating Middleton's life.  I wonder if its fair to say Middleton was living history?  One of his ancestors, after all, signed the Declaration of Independence.

Processional cross, St. Anne's Parish
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

According to Hjortsberg (2011), Middleton designed the coat of arms which St. Anne's formally adopted in November 1989.  The arms were created in anticipation of the parish's upcoming 300th anniversary celebration in 1992 (E. Fredland, personal communication, 12 May 2025).  Middleton found inspiration from the church's historical foundation which may explain the quarterings used from the arms of the Sovereign of England in his rendering.  

Furthermore, Hjortsberg (2011) notes that Middleton was well supplied with research assistance by Dr. A. Weems McFadden (1925-2010), a decorated US Naval officer and noted dermatologist.  The final product was a bespoke coat of arms reflecting the identity of St. Anne's, and altogether a highly researched design layered with meaning.  

Processional banner, St. Anne's Parish
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The parish was founded during the reign of King William III and quarterings #1 and #2 reflect this special history.  Additionally, King William III gave St. Anne's Parish communion silver in 1695 which is still used today (E. Fredland, personal communication, 12 May 2025).  I dare say not a lot of parishes can tout such a royal gift.  Quarterings #3 and #4 are from the Calvert and Crossland arms used to identify Maryland.  

In summary, the quartered escutcheon abstractly identifies the owner as one who was founded during the reign of King William III of England and located in the Baltimore-Maryland region.  The chevron, ermine, and crown likely serve as sufficient differencing marks while reinforcing the parish's royal ties.  Another interesting fact is that Queen Anne provided a bell for the parish's original building (E. Fredland, personal communication, 12 May 2025).  

Shortened blazon for the arms of St. Anne's Parish in Annapolis, Maryland:  Quarterly; 1: France quartering Plantagenet (England); 2: Stuart (Scotland); 3: Calvert; 4: Crossland, overall on a chevron ermine an imperial crown proper.

Other arms found within Maryland illustrating various components of either Calvert or Crossland can be seen below.  

Examples of Episcopal Church arms incorporating elements from Calvert and Crossland
Click to enlarge
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Top Row:  Episcopal Diocese of Maryland

Middle Row (L-R):  Trinity Cathedral, Easton and St. Augustine Parish, Chesapeake City

Bottom Row (L-R):  Emmanuel Church, Baltimore; St. Anne's Parish, Annapolis; Cathedral of the Incarnation, Baltimore

Pierre de Chaignon La Rose (1872-1941) designed the arms of the Diocese of Maryland and the Cathedral of the Incarnation.  Col. Harry D. Temple (1911-2004) produced arms for Trinity Cathedral in the Diocese of Easton and St. Augustine Parish.

Examples of Roman Catholic arms incorporating elements from Crossland
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The Archdiocese of Baltimore and Notre Dame University of Maryland are two Roman Catholic arms using elements of Crossland in their arms--both designed by la Rose.

Abstractly illustrating historical foundation, saintly dedication, and geographical location are critical elements when constructing new corporate arms.  To successfully combine these elements in the simplest and clearest manner possible, I am finding, demands practice and research.

The arms of St. Anne's Parish are a treasured example of sound heraldry in the Episcopal Church.    

Works Cited

Hjortsberg, Carol (ed.) (2011).  St. Anne's Annapolis: History and times, Vol. II.  St. Anne's Parish.

Another Cookbook: The Arms of St. Peter's Parish

Arms of St. Peter's Parish Church New Kent, Virginia
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Mind the cookbooks.  Never underestimate the power of those plastic spiral bindings or Episcopal Church Women (ECW) for that matter. 

Kitchen Keys
Published in 1988 by the Episcopal Church Women
of St. Peter's Parish Church, New Kent, Virginia

I happened upon this heraldic cookbook online as part of my quest to discover, render, and share sound corporate heraldry in the US.  Why?  To illustrate the existence of an American heraldic tradition that is alive and continues well into the 21st century.  My focus is on ecclesiastical heraldry in the Episcopal Church and scholastic coats of arms--think schools, academies, colleges, seminaries, universities, and any US-based academic organization.  I have no desire to attempt to collect and catalogue the entirety of designs within these categories, as I'm more interested in those designs that honor the tradition and rules of heraldry.    

Not long ago, I wrote a small bit about the Episcopal Church cookbook phenomenon when I discovered an impaled coat of arms of a parish gracing one such cover.  Click here to read more about my first heraldic cookbook discovery. To read other articles in the Recent Finds series, click the corresponding label at the end of this post.  

Banners of arms for the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia & St. Peter's Parish Church
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Kitchen Keys plays nicely on the parish dedication of St. Peter's Parish Church in New Kent, Virginia.  The title is brilliant!  Less than an hour from where I write, this historic parish is located in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and boasts a well differenced coat of arms.  

Far too often I see parishes adopting the undifferenced-attributed arms of their dedication and using for their own corporate identity.  I blame good intentions and a widespread lack of education within the Episcopal Church on heraldry and parish identity.  To wit, the last publication on church heraldry was Dekay (1993) which is fine but contains errors, gaps without data, and lacks source material.  While Dekay's work is an important contribution towards advancing our knowledge on the subject, it must be treated as a point of departure rather than gospel truth.

Meanwhile, 32 years have passed and little has been added to the literature on heraldry in the Episcopal Church, leaving the faithful bereft and uneducated.

Arms of St. Peter's Parish Church New Kent, Virginia
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

To confirm tinctures for these arms as seen on the cover, I searched the parish's website and Facebook page for any additional evidence.  

There is a banner hanging towards the back of the sanctuary containing the coat of arms--a white field can be confirmed.  Sadly, it does appear that both keys and stars are gold.  Since the photo on the website was taken at a distance, I'm following the recipe from Kitchen Keys and going with red.

Arms and flag of St. Peter's Parish Church, New Kent, Virginia
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The crossed keys of Saint Peter readily identify themself and the parish dedication.  Established in 1679, St. Peter's Parish experienced the horrors of two wars while surviving to share God's story of love and faithfulness.  The two stars likely commemorate the Revolutionary War and Civil War, the latter causing the most destruction to parish property (Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, n.d.).

By changing tinctures, omitting an upside-down cross, and adding two stars sufficiently differences the parish's arms from those attributed to Saint Peter.  If the two stars commemorate the parish's history through two armed conflicts on American soil, then these arms truly provide bespoke identification for the parish church.  I say to whomever designed the parish arms, job well done.   

Processional banner of arms of St. Peter's Parish Church, New Kent, Virginia
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I think the arms look rather lovely, and perfectly suited as an armorial flag and processional banner.  I should think all eyes would be on St. Peter's processional banner at the next diocesan convention.

The blazon for the arms of St. Peter's Parish Church, New Kent, Virginia:  Argent, two keys in saltire wards to chief between in chief and in base two stars of five points Gules.

Works Cited

De Kay, E.J. (1993).  Heraldry of the Episcopal Church.  Acorn Press. 

Episcopal Church Women of St. Peter's Parish Church. (1988).  Kitchen keys.  William Byrd Press.

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church. (n.d.).  Our history.  accessed on April 10, 2025.  https://www.stpetersnewkent.org/About_Us_Mission_and_Ministries/History/