In Memoriam, October 29, 1974 Alice D. Perkins Knauer Beloved wife of Orren A. Knauer Design by William C. Randal Build and carved by Mr. Alan Amerian American Woodcarving San Jose, CA Installed by Jim Alford, 8/22/1976 Blessed 8/29/1976
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Alice Drinan Perkins Knauer was a lifelong Episcopalian, having been baptized and confirmed at St. Andrew's Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  She was married to Orren A. Knauer at St. Luke's Church in St. Louis, Missouri and was a faithful communicant of St. Francis from 1959 until her death.

The word Aumbry comes from the latin, armarium, meaning "chest."  In the sanctuary of the church, this is where the reserve sacrament of the consecrated body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is kept.  Churches in the Anglican Communion tend to use aumbrys for reservation instead of tabernacles on the altar as do our Roman Catholic brothers (you will see tabernacles at some Anglo-Catholic parishes, such as St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Los Gatos).

The wood used in making this aumbry is acacia, which is one of the woods mentioned as used for the chest or container of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament.  An attempt was made to obtain the wood from the Holy Land during a business trip made by Ken Gillett.  This proved unsuccessful and Mr. Knauer was able to obtain the wood from Tennessee instead.

The original design is the creation of William C. Randal.  It is interesting to note the raised arms, which is an unusual pose for St. Francis.  The incised carving is similar to the method used on the figure of Francis over the door of the chapel.  Mr. Alan Amerian, an San Jose Carver and former student of Bill Randal, did the carving and constructed the chest.  We are appreciative of Jim Alford's installation.  We give thanks for Orren Knauer's gracious gift and assistance with the details.

Alice Knauer is interred in Oak Hill Memorial Park, where she rests under the gaze of St. Andrew, who with the martyred St. Stephen, were her favorite saints.