The overall shape of our logo suggests a Celtic cross, a familiar image from our Presbyterian heritage. Stone masons who carved Celtic crosses often incorporated depictions of Bible stories. It is in this tradition that designer Brendan Murphy* references the loaves and fishes feeding of the multitudes (Matthew 15) in our symbol. It is one of the most compassionate miracles of Jesus' ministry. The images of fish were used by the earliest Christians to recognize each other; one would draw half of the fish, and the other responded by drawing the other half.
The Greek word for fish formed an acronym for Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. The fish moving out in all directions suggest our mission to reach out in love and compassion to a world in need. The circle represents our unity in Christ, as well as the loaf of bread.

The symbol was designed to express the qualities and spirit of the people of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and speaks to people in different ways. In it we see so much about our church that makes it special. A favorite aspect is its circular shape, reminiscent of our sanctuary - a church with no right angles. The circle speaks of the completeness and the inclusiveness of our faith community. As the fish move out of the circle, it makes one think of our mission to reach out to a world in need, a world outside our four walls. Several people have said that the cross that is formed by the four fish (North, South, East and West) reminds them of our special place at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street - the center of our worship and our ministry.

*Partner at Lippincott & Margulies, a leading global corporate identity firm

Abstracted from an article by Ron Cruikshank, Chairperson, Session Communications Committee 1999-2001, that appeared in the September 2000 issue of the VOICE.

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7 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019 212.247.0490