- The Governor General of Canada
The contents of this Register are intended for research purposes only. The heraldic emblems found in the Register may not be reproduced in any form or in any media without the written consent of the Canadian Heraldic Authority and/or the recipient.
Church of the Holy Saviour
Waterloo, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
April 3, 2001
Vol. IV, p. 108
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent a cross Gules overall a wagon wheel Azure the portions on the cross Or fleuretté Argent, charged with a plate bearing the Greek letters IHS Sable, on a chief Azure a celestial crown between dexter an eagle's head nimbed erased contourné and sinister a moose's head erased Or;
Motto
CANTATE DOMINO;
Badge
Two trumpets in saltire bells in base Or surmounted by the rood screen cross of the Church of the Holy Saviour, Waterloo, Gules;
Symbolism
Arms
The red cross on white is the traditional emblem of the Anglican Communion. The wheel is a local reference to the Conestoga wagon, which brought the first settlers into Waterloo. Theologically, it represents the liturgical year, as well as wholeness and community. Where the wheel is coloured gold, takes the shape of a cross potent, the shape of the altar cross of the parish. The fleurs-de-lis represent the Trinitarian faith of the members of the parish reaching out into the community. They are also to be found painted on the ceiling of the sanctuary of the church. The disc with the Divine monogram (the name of Jesus in Greek) represents the centrality of the Eucharist in the community’s worship. The chief incorporates design elements reflecting the descent and outreach of the parish. The eagle’s head is from the arms of the parish of St. John the Evangelist, Kitchener, Holy Saviour’s mother parish; the celestial crown, an emblem for All Saints, reflects Holy Saviour’s founding of All Saints Parish in north Waterloo; and the moose head is a reference to Renison College in the University of Waterloo, in the founding of which Holy Saviour was deeply involved and for which it still provides leadership.
Motto
This means “O sing unto the Lord”. (Ps. 149:1).
Badge
The crossed trumpets represent the musical tradition that characterizes the worship at Holy Saviour. The form of the Celtic cross comes from the large one on the chancel rood screen, a dominant visual feature of the church.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 3, 2001, in Volume 135, page 4057 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of David Bowyer, assisted by the Heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Painter
David Bowyer
Calligrapher
Judith Bainbridge
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Local (church, synagogue)