Within the Sanctuary there are plaques, stained glass windows and special furnishings unique to a place of worship, which serve not only to adorn it but also to honour those who worshiped here in the past, and in the two founding churches - Dominion Methodist and Bank Street Presbyterian in other locations in Ottawa. References to some of these symbols of remembrance and honour are made in the following notes.
In the centre at the rear of the Sanctuary is the original Communion Table from Dominion Methodist Church, dating from 1876 when the Church was re-built at Metcalfe and Queen Streets. The table was carved to match the woodwork of that Church.
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On the centre of the north wall (to the right, facing the pulpit) are five pictorial stained glass windows. The centre window depicts "Phoenix rising from the ashes," based on the ancient theme of a sacred bird burning itself on the altar and rising again from the ashes, hence the emblem of the resurrection and of immortality. It also became an important symbol of renewal for members of Dominion Church who lost their fine building at Queen and Metcalfe Streets in a disastrous fire in 1961, and in 1962 amalgamated with Chalmers to form Dominion-Chalmers. The windows on each side of the centre window are memorials to honour former members of Dominion, as designated. The two stained glass windows to the left depict the Holy Grail, and Sir Galahad of King Arthur's Court in search of the Holy Grail. The two windows to the right depict Mary and Jesus riding on a donkey, and Joseph accompanying them. There are two other memorial windows to the memory of Dominion Church members on the north wall of the Sanctuary towards the front and back.
As noted at the base of the centre window, the three stained glass windows to
the left on the north wall and the three to the right were removed from the Dominion Church building after the fire in 1961, and installed here after amalgamation of the two congregations.
Also on the north wall, towards the front of the Sanctuary are plaques in memory of The Reverend William Moore, Minister of Bank Street Presbyterian Church, 1866-1902, and The Reverend J. H. Turnbull who was Minister of Bank Street Church in the period 1903-1913 and of Chalmers Presbyterian Church at this site from 1913-1918.
At the front of the Sanctuary is the Chancel area with the pulpit, organ, choir loft area, and grand piano. On the organ screen is a Cross, with its identifying plaque, donated to the Church in 1951 in memory of a Chalmers' family, another emblem of the heritage of our Church. When fire threatened this Sanctuary on April 10, 1955, the Cross and some furnishings associated with worship were carried out of the building by members of the Congregation who were at the site.
The Dominion-Chalmers' Memorial Organ, installed in 1965 to replace an organ that had been in use since 1928, is one of the largest organs in Ottawa. It was designed and built by Casavant Frères. It has four manuals with 64 speaking stops comprising 95 ranks and a total of 5,157 pipes. It is a magnificent instrument capable of supporting in full measure the essential ministry of music in the work and worship of our Church. On the north wall of the Chancel is a plaque in honour of William France who was organist from 1950 to 1980. On the south wall is a memorial plaque honouring four members of the choir who made the supreme sacrifice in World War II.
In front of the Chancel is the Communion Table, and the Baptismal Font, which was presented to Chalmers Presbyterian Church in 1918. In the front area there are also two special candle holders, both being memorial gifts. In the northwest corner of the Sanctuary, near the exit, is a small collection plate stand from Dominion Methodist Church, dated 1876.
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