- 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.
Saint John's Parish Church
Cambridge, Ontario
Grant of Arms and Badge
June 15, 2001
Vol. IV, p. 124
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Per saltire, first Azure charged with an eagle's head erased and nimbed Or, second wavy Azure charged with two piles wavy reversed in point Argent, third and fourth Argent each charged with a cross patté fitché Gules;
Motto
IN THEE ARE THE SPRINGS OF OUR LIFE;
Badge
On a cross patté quadrate, the limbs nowed inward at the ends Azure and charged with four isosceles triangles, an eagle's head erased Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The division of the shield by the saltire partition lines evokes the Greek letter chi, the initial letter of the name of Christ in Greek. Blue is a colour associated with St. John the Evangelist, whose traditional emblem is the eagle shown with a nimbus. The parish has long used an eagle as its symbol. The bottom portion was inspired by the fountain (Preston Springs) found on the assumed arms of the former Town of Preston, where the parish is located. The spring or flowing water has a Christian significance as a baptismal symbol. The crosses in the flanks of the shield, red on white, refer to the red cross on white of Anglicanism and to the two church buildings, the original parish church erected in 1890 and the present one built in 1953.
Motto
This phrase comes from a prayer used at the dedication of the present church in 1953. It is based on Psalm 36:9 and refers to the famous Preston Springs.
Badge
The cross in the badge is based on the carved cross on the front of the high altar, with the addition of the eagle of St. John. The gold rays are a symbol of the divine.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on February 22, 2003, in Volume 137, page 517 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
Karen Mackay
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Local (church, synagogue)