This spring’s Interfaith Mosaic Walk on May 18, 2025 brought visitors across Park Avenue, linking two landmark sanctuaries—St. Bartholomew’s Church and Temple Emanu-El—through the shared artistry of Hildreth Meière. The afternoon celebrated how one artist created enduring works for two faiths, and how those works continue to speak across traditions today. Hildreth “Hilly” Dunn, Meière’s granddaughter and Vice President of the International Hildreth Meière Association (IHMA), offered personal insights and history along the way.
At St. Bart’s, originally designed by architect Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, the group was welcomed by Rev. Meredith Ward, Senior Associate Rector, and Dr. Charlotte Healy, art historian and volunteer. Under the great half-dome of the apse, a lively conversation unfolded about Meière’s mosaic of the Transfiguration—where Christ, Moses, and Elijah appear in glowing Byzantine style—and the marble band below, inlaid with birds and animals symbolizing Christian virtues.
Meière’s contributions extend beyond these works. She also designed four of the church’s clerestory windows and the Six Days of Creation mosaics in the entrance domes. In these golden vaults, she reimagined the Biblical story of Genesis with jewel-like color, evoking early Byzantine mosaics from Ravenna, Italy while creating a distinctly modern Art Deco space. These works continue to shape the spiritual and artistic life of the church today.
At Temple Emanu-El, designed by Robert D. Kohn, Charles Butler, and Clarence Stein, the group encountered a different side of Meière’s artistry. She filled the soaring sanctuary arch with Jewish symbols—menorahs, shofars, the Star of David, and Sabbath candles—woven into intricate geometric designs. The Ark itself is framed like an open Torah scroll, a striking reminder of the centrality of scripture.
Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson stopped by to welcome participants, and Dr. Alyssa Cady, Director of the Center for Interfaith Dialogue, spoke from the bimah about the similarities and differences between Episcopalian and Reform Jewish traditions, as well as how the architecture of each sacred space reflects those practices. The group also viewed a video interview with Mark Heutlinger, Administrator Emeritus, who traced Temple Emanu-El’s history since its founding in 1845. Warren Klein, Museum Director and Curator of the Herbert & Eileen Bernard Museum, was also on hand to answer questions and share insights.
Behind the beauty was extraordinary craftsmanship. Both commissions were fabricated by Pühl & Wagner in Berlin and installed in New York by their U.S. affiliate, Ravenna Mosaics. Meière herself traveled to Berlin in 1928, eager to learn the mosaic-making process and ensure her designs would translate perfectly into millions of tiny glass pieces. That dedication shows in the durability of her work—when Temple Emanu-El’s mosaics were cleaned in 2005, only six tiles were found loose out of the millions set.
The interfaith walk highlighted how Meière adapted her imagery to each tradition while drawing from shared sources. The Creation story, told in Genesis, is central to both Judaism and Christianity. The animal symbols at St. Bart’s—lion, eagle, stag, and more—reflect Christian virtues, yet their qualities of courage, wisdom, and renewal are meaningful across cultures. At Temple Emanu-El, Meière’s motifs celebrate Jewish ritual life in a way that feels timeless, while her bold Art Deco style shows how tradition can speak through a modern visual language.
Together, these commissions reveal Meière’s rare gift: creating art that is deeply rooted in faith traditions yet able to spark dialogue across them. For those inspired to learn more, Temple Emanu-El continues this spirit through its Center for Interfaith Dialogue click here.
Dr. Charlotte Healy shares St. Bart’s history
(Photo credit: IHMA)
Rev. Meredith Ward shares insights at St. Bart’s
(Photo credit: Dr. Alyssa Cady)
Looking up at three Meière windows at St. Bart’s
(Photo credit: IHMA)
Domes at the St. Bart’s church entrance
(Photo credit: IHMA)
Temple Emanu-EL Rabbi Joshua M. Davidson welcomes to the group. (Photo credit: IHMA)
Dr. Alyssa Cady speaking from the bimah at Temple Emanu-El. (Photo credit: IHMA)
Temple Emanu-El sanctuary
(Photo credit: Tim Martin)
Meière’s six-story mosaic Arch and Ark at Temple Emanu-El
(Photo credit: Tim Martin)
Looking up at the symbols in the arch with Hilly Dunn
(Photo credit: IHMA)
Mark Heutlinger, Hilly Dunn, Rev. Meredith Ward, Warren Klein, Dr. Alyssa Cady, Dr. Charlotte Healy (Photo credit: Tim Martin)
About the International Hildreth Meière Association
Founded in 2004, the International Hildreth Meière Association (IHMA) inspires, educates, and preserves the legacy and works of artist Hildreth Meière. As the primary source for information on Hildreth’s life and works, IHMA has created exhibitions, publications, documentary series, tours, and lectures for the general public, educational groups, and the sites of Hildreth's commissions.
Explore more: hildrethmeiere.org
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Press/collaboration inquiries: info@hildrethmeiere.org