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This liturgical art serves as a memorial where we can
recall with gratitude the witness of West Plano Presbyterian Church saints who now rest from their labor.
It remains fixed in the church library except for its use in worship in the liturgy for All Saints' Day.
Saints triptych, by Pat Wittliff
The Committee chose the image of the Tree of Life with the river of life from Ezekiel and Revelation because
these biblical images speak of God's promised future. Resident artist Pat Wittliff was commisioned for this
work. The idea of three canvases (two of shich are 3' x 5', and one, 4' x 5') was adopted from the shape and
function of a triptych alterpiece which was positioned behind the eucharistic altar and served as a visual
inspiration of the meaning of the sacramental liturgy.
Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of
the temple towards the east (for the temple faced east); and the water was flowing down from below the south end
of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate towards
the east; and the water was coming out on the south side. ...
Then he led me back along the bank of the river. As I came back, I saw on the bank of the river a great many
trees on one side and on the other. He said to me, ‘This water flows towards the eastern region and goes down
into the Arabah; and when it enters the sea, the sea of stagnant waters, the water will become fresh. Wherever
the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish, once these
waters reach there. It will become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes. ...
On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not
wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from
the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 6b-9, 12
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God
and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life
with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing
of the nations.
Revelation 22: 1-2
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