The Simple Family Meal, rises over and frames a rear portal door to the St. Nicholas Sanctuary. At the rear of the church, under the choir loft, this warm and humble gathering faces the cold extravagance of the Capitalist’s table.
From birth until he was of school age, Vanka lived with Dora, a peasant woman who was paid to raise him. She had a family of her own to care for and family meals were simple and austere. The Mural of the poor man’s table probably resembled Vanka’s life with Dora.
– MARYA HALDERMAN, MAXO VANKA’S GRANDDAUGHTER
Vanka paints the characters surrounding the table, whereas in the Capitalist, the table divides them. I interpret this mural as a plea for unity. It is Peggy Vanka, Maxo’s Jewish daughter who is the only one to see the shimmering revelation of Christ’s presence in their midst. Add to that, the depiction of a Lutheran seated at the head of the table slicing the bread, E. B. W. Pfischner, the owner of Penn Saw Works, Burgess of Millvale for more than 30 years and benefactor of many churches in the area, as potentially controversial inclusions at the time.
– MURAL REFLECTION: DAVID BENNETT, DOCENT
David asks: When leaving the Sanctuary, which direction do you choose? Through the Capitalist portal, or through the lovingly depicted Simple Family Meal?
