Recent Finds Special Edition: Impaled Parish Arms

Cover of "Cookbook: Centennial Edition," by
Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO
Image source: eBay

As the Recent Finds series continues, I'm presenting a special edition from a rare find.  To read other articles in the Recent Finds series, click on the corresponding label at the end of this post.  

Cookbooks.  That's right, cookbooks.  These bindings of locally loved recipes were something of a phenomenon in the Episcopal Church during the mid-to-late 20th century, produced mostly by parish women and oftentimes as a fundraiser for the church.

During a recent Internet search for parish coats of arms, I happened upon one such work from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kansas City, Missouri with the most unusual cover.  An impaled coat of arms!  Seeing an impaled coat of arms in the Episcopal Church, let alone one for a parish, is a rare find.  

Applied arms
Image Source:  Parish's Facebook Page

In case the arms depicted on the cookbook's cover was merely a one-off design, I dug a little deeper to see if this impalement exists and really used by the parish.  It is!  I especially love the doormat.

Arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kansas City, MO depicted in stained glass
Image Source: Parish's Facebook Page

These arms are used and loved by the parish--the stained glass window depicted above is gorgeous even if  the crescent is blazoned as Argent rather than Or.  Well, too late to change that I suppose.

While these arms are technically correct and rendered well, however, it is highly unusual to see this sort of arrangement with parish arms in dexter and those of its diocese in sinister.  Traditionally, the arms depicted in sinister are the senior arms of the pair.  Thus, the arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church take precedence over those of the Diocese of West Missouri according to the design.  Seems rather out of place to me.  Nonetheless, these impaled arms are quite lovely.

Attributed coat of arms of St. Paul
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Heralds have throughout history given saints attributed coats of arms for heraldic identification.  Most often, these attributed arms have been used for decoration on altar reredos, stained glass windows, and carvings found throughout Christian churches in the West.  

Saint Paul never bore a coat of arms himself but has been attributed arms widely recognized with a sword and an open book inscribed in Latin, Spiritus Gladius (sword of the Spirit).  

That St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kansas City, MO successfully differenced the attributed arms of its dedication shows that someone knew what they were doing when creating arms for the parish.  

Blazon for the attributed arms of Saint Paul:  Gules, a sword in pale with point to base pommel and hilt Or surmounted by an open book edged with three clasps Or inscribed SPIRITUS GLADIUS. 

Coat of arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Repositioning the sword with its point now to chief, dispensing with the open book, and incorporating a golden celestial crown provides three distinct marks of differencing the attributed arms of St. Paul.  Huzzah! 

Technically, I believe, the parish could simply use this coat of arms without impalement.  The heraldic designer could have simply stopped here.  I wonder if the desire to add the arms of the diocese was requested or there was a need to "ju-ju" the arms to look more decadent.  Who knows, we only have a cookbook to go by at this point. 

Blazon for the arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO:  Gules, a sword in pale pommel and hilt Or with point to chief surmounted by a celestial crown Or.

Coat of arms of the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Originally known as the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas City, the process for securing a design of arms to be used as a seal began in 1906 (Diocese of Kansas City, 1909, 41).  During its convention in the summer of 1909, the appointed Committee on Diocesan Seal presented for a vote its recommendation for a coat of arms.  Designed by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941), the arms of the see pack a lot of references as simply as possible in a way only the talented la Rose could manage.  

La Rose supplied his rationale to the Committee which presented it before the Convention:

"My first desire was, if possible, to introduce some symbol from the arms of the State of Missouri, which consist (apart from the impalement of the United States arms) of a crescent on a blue field, in chief, and a bear on a red field, in base. I have chosen the crescent. (1) because by its position 'in chief' it is the more important figure heraldically: (2) because it has a religious significance on an ecclesiastical coat, being one of the symbols of the Blessed Virgin Mary: (3) because the bear has little ecclesiastical meaning, except as a symbol of St. Bernard or of the animals which devoured the revilers of the prophet.

"Looking at the map of Missouri it struck me as interesting to note that at Kansas City the Missouri and Kansas rivers meet in the form of an heraldic charge, viz. the 'pairle (or pall) Y. This as an heraldic charge should not be confused with the actual pallium which appears on the arms of the see of Canterbury, which last is the pallium as actually worn, whereas the pairle is simply an abstract form following the same lines, and which, while it suggests the vestment, yet has not archiepiscopal significance. I have placed, then, a silver pairle on a blue field, with the silver crescent in chief, as a very definite representation, in the recognized astract forms of heraldry, of Kansas City in Missouri.

"In the flanks I have placed pendent ears of maize to indicate that the Diocese is situated in the midst of a great corn-growing district. As precedents for these pendent ears, one can refer to the colonial seal of the Province of East Jersey, and to the present arms of the Diocese of Athabasca, on both of which appear ears of maize in this pendent position.

"Finally, I have placed on the pairle four small St. George crosses, just as the Canterbury pallium is charged with four black crosses 'pattes.' By these St. George crosses we can definitely indicate the Anglican Communion in Kansas City, Mo., and we use four of them as the old Canterbury number (and there is nothing to prevent one from considering the number to represent the Lambeth Quadrilateral)" (Diocese of Kansas City, 1909, 41-42).

La Rose's blazon for the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri:  "Azure, between in chief, a crescent argent, and in flanks, two pendant ears of maize leaved and slipped or, a pairle of the second, thereon four crosses gules" (Diocese of Kansas City, 1909, 41).

My version of the blazon for the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri:  Azure, on a pall cross Argent four crosses couped Gules between two pendant ears of maize Or in chief a crescent Argent. 

Example of best practice when incorporating the arms of the see
with a parish coat of arms
Concept and rendering by Chad Krouse, 2025

One idea of how to incorporate the arms of the see with those of a parish can be seen above.  By using the see's arms as the base design--effectively creating a "bordure of the Diocese of West Missouri"--and overlaying the arms of the parish, this method would be seen as a best practice or preference when these two arms collide.

I like this method as it plays on cadency in the Scottish heraldic tradition.  A bordure is used to difference the main coat of arms while distinguishing between younger sons and other cadet branches within a family.  In a sense, one could see the arms of St. Paul's as a "child" of the Diocese of West Missouri.    

Two becoming one: impaling two coats of arms
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The illustration above simply shows the two separate coats of arms being impaled into a singular coat.  In heraldic terms, the viewer's left side of the shield is called "dexter," and the right, "sinister."  

Coat of arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Blazon for the impaled arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO:  Impaled: Dexter, Gules, a sword in pale pommel and hilt Or with point to chief surmounted by a celestial crown Or (St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO).  Sinister, Azure, on a pall cross Argent four crosses couped Gules between two ears of maize Or in chief a crescent Argent (Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri).

Armorial flag of the arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The impalement looks rather slick when translated into an armorial flag and banner.

Banner and coat of arms of
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Kansas City, MO
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

So who knows the backstory for these arms?  I'll see what I can learn and will report back any findings.  It is indeed a lovely coat of arms.

Works Cited

Diocese of Kansas City. (1909).  Journal of the twentieth annual council of the Church in the Diocese of Kansas City.  Diocese of Kansas City, 41-42.

The Medieval Academy of America at 100

Pride on display at home: my armorial flag of the Medieval Academy of America
Flag and photograph by the Author.

It's honestly rather hard to believe it almost as it is saying it--I presented a research paper before The Medieval Academy of America's (MAA) centennial conference at Harvard.  Those previous words fail to adequately describe the emotions and sense of belonging I felt while attending MAA's conference last week at Harvard.

Some 500 medieval scholars from around the world gathered on the campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts for three day conference in celebration of the MAA's 100th year since its founding in 1925.

Branded conference swag proudly displaying
MAA's coat of arms in full color

My involvement with MAA began when I discovered that my research muse, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) designed the Academy's coat of arms in 1927.  As far as I knew, MAA did not have any updated digital assets of their arms, let alone any in full color.  Since heraldry is meant to be seen in full color, I commissioned a fellow digital heraldic artist in Europe to correct this injustice.  

Click here to read about how MAA got its arms in color.

Now that I'm somewhat competent with digital illustration, I've since rendered my own version of MAA's arms and sent to them for use.  MAA's armorial flag seen at the top is my version that I had made into a 3ft x 5ft flag in the style la Rose would have likely used if a flag had been commissioned from him.  Stretching the sun's rays to the edges really makes the whole image look stunning as flag.  

The arms seen above adorning conference merch were the commissioned version. 

Sever Hall at Harvard Yard served as one of several principal buildings hosting the 
Academy's conference

Sever Hall on Harvard's campus was one of the principal buildings hosting presentations during the conference.  My session was on Sever's third floor.  Much to my surprise and delight, Sever's classrooms have actual chalk boards hanging inside these hallowed laboratories of learning.  I don't know why, but observing this ancient pedagogical tool still alive and in use really impressed me.  While the space had fully updated audio/visual technology, the chalkboards harkened back to that age I remember in elementary and middle school.  

Chalkboards in Sever Hall's classrooms

My presentation, "From Battlefields to Beer Steins:  Devising Heraldic Identity for Select US Academic Institutions," focused on the 11 institutions in the US that either received a grant or devisal of arms from the College of Arms in London.

Title slide

I rendered each coat of arms in Adobe Illustrator so that I could help my audience visualize how the heralds in London created unique identification for these select academic institutions.  Now, to have all 11 arms in the same shape, full color, and done in my style is quite rare.  I'm holding back from posting all those arms for now, as I plan to submit a journal article for publication which will include those arms.

Coat of arms of The College of William & Mary
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Hands down, rendering the arms for the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia required a lot of time and patience.  It's a tad dark and bold, but I was under a pressing deadline.  

For fun, the impaled arms of Harvard and the Medieval Academy of America
to help celebrate the centennial in true heraldic fashion
Concept and rendering by Chad Krouse, 2025

The session and my presentation, I thought, went well especially when scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on a Friday.  During the Q&A, I was surprised to see a lot of interest in la Rose and his work.  I used la Rose's designs created for Calhoun College at Yale, Harvard Law, and Kirkland House at Harvard as examples of the power corporate heraldry holds in displaying institutional identity--all three coats of arms were retired in the 21st century.  

All in all, I had a great three days in Cambridge and simply over the moon about having participated in the conference.  I receive a lot of affirmation and motivation from opportunities such as this, to continue on with my journey exploring la Rose's work and US corporate heraldry.  

Spotted:  Harvard's arms on a university bus in Cambridge

For now, though, I need a break!

Blue Dove

Concept piece for the College of Arms Foundation
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Its quite an honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the College of Arms Foundation whose purpose is to promote English heraldry and genealogy in the US while providing financial support to the College in London.  Recently I was renewing my membership with the UK-based counterpart, The White Lion Society, whose badge consists of one of the lions from the College's achievement supporting a flag of the College's arms.  I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could create something similar using our blue dove.  Voila.

I think it turned out nicely.  Disclaimer:  my humble illustration above is merely a fun project and not an official image.  Who knows, perhaps one day this blue bird might get used in some sort of official capacity.    

Recent Finds IX

Coats of arms for various US academic institutions
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Our Recent Finds series continues!  To view past articles, click on the label below the post.  Sharing some recently completed renderings of scholastic arms found online.  The key for the arms illustrated above is below and I've highlighted three with a few details as well.

Top Row (L-R):  St. Timothy's School, Stevenson, MD; Trinity Episcopal School, Richmond, VA; and Boston University, Boston, MA

Bottom Row (L-R):  Milton Academy, Milton, MA; St. Timothy's School, Raleigh, NC; and Berkeley Preparatory School, Tampa, FL 

Coat of arms of Milton Academy
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The Milton Academy's coat of arms was adopted by the school in 1898, one hundred years after its founding in Milton, Massachusetts.  Given this newfound coat of arms, my running top 10 list of US academic institutions bearing arms needed an update.  The list is an ever-evolving project cataloging coats of arms borne by any US school, academy, college, seminary, etc.  Now, with Milton's arms dated to 1898, the school sits at number 7 for having the oldest arms among US academic institutions.  Harvard, no surprise, is number 1 with the oldest having adopted theirs in 1643.  

Blazon for the arms of Milton Academy: Per fess Tenne and Azure on an open book edged with two clasps Or "Dare to be True."

Coat of arms of Trinity Episcopal School
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

For several years now, I've been conflicted regarding the "crest" for Trinity Episcopal School located right here in Richmond, VA.  While I still cannot put my hands on any hard evidence, I was able to locate some data.  It is also possible, perhaps, that Col. Harry D. Temple (1911-2004) designed these as he did live here for some time.

Coat of arms and armorial flag of Trinity Episcopal School, Richmond, VA
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Since the organizers for the school used St. Michael's Episcopal Church in town as their HQ and sponsoring parish, I felt using the "cross of St. Michael" was appropriate.  Otherwise, it's rather difficult to make out the exact cross from any contemporary rendering found online.  Either way, I thought as a flag Trinity Episcopal School's coat of arms translate well as an armorial flag.

Blazon for the arms of Trinity Episcopal School (Richmond, VA):  Vert, a straight tau cross throughout Argent and in chief three crosses pommy Or.

Coat of arms of Berkeley Preparatory School
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

While riffing on the traditional arms of Berkeley, the prep school in Tampa, FL managed to change tinctures as a mark of difference for their arms.  I think these arms are a great example of how even minor differencing can avoid infringing on established arms; however, the design could be improved to include unique identification indicating a school or its location.