Church designers can use the shape of the building to include Christian symbols. The picture below shows a traditional design in the shape of a cross. You might have been in a church like this before.
The St Peters Chapel is designed differently. While the congregation still faces East (as in many traditional designs), it is not shaped like a cross. Have a look at the images below – see if you can pick what it’s like:
It starts off narrow at the front and then fans out in a kind of zig-zag fashion and curves around at the other side. It is a little bit like one of these:
What do you think of when you think of shells? Many people will think of water, and for Christians, we remember the waters of baptism, so a shell is a symbol of baptism. I also think that a shell is the home of the creature inside it – a shell keeps it safe. So I think a shell is a good symbol to use for a church or chapel, don’t you?
Christian Worship & Celebrations 