Exterior Stonework and Carvings

University Christian Church Austin has a sanctuary built in 1954 and an education building built in 1959.
The exterior is fossil stone with several carvings.

- Limestone quarried in Cedar Park, Texas
- The walls are Texas “Cordova” Shell limestone (as used in UT buildings)
- Geologically known as “Whitestone Lentil”
- Formed ~105 million years ago during middle of the Cretaceous period
- The trim is Texas “Cordova” Cream limestone.

North Side Carvings

- “University Christian Church” below the Great Window
- Representations of four gospels carved on either side of the church name
- Carved by Charles Umlauf, then Associate Professor of Art at UT

Four gospels carved on either side of the church name

- Symbols depict the gospel writers and how they exemplified Christ.
- There are several interpretations and scripture references supporting the symbols:

The Gospel writers’ image theme is repeated in the east windows of the Narthex.

Tympanum Carvings

Located over the entrance to the sanctuary, the tympanum carvings depict the tenets of the Disciples of Christ faith.

- Shields of apostles: see “The Apostles Shields”
- Latin cross and crown
- Chi Rho : (XP) representing Greek word for Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ)
- Alpha and Omega: Jesus is the beginning and the end of all things.
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.
- Revelation 1:8 (NRSVUE)

IHC Carving

- Located above the Tympanum
- A medieval-style “christogram”
- first 3 letters of Greek word IHSOUS meaning “Jesus.”
Greek:   Iota-eta-sigma    Ίησους     (capitals) ΙΗΣΟΥΣ

Texas Bible Chair Carvings

Recognized in the carved stone walls, interior and exterior, marking the approximate location where the Texas Bible Chair building stood