Sanctuary Windows
The Sanctuary windows were designed and constructed by the Willett Studios of Philadelphia, in consultation with the church architect, A. Hensel Fink, and members of the church. Along with beautifying the House of God, these windows fulfill the tradition that stained glass instructs the congregation in the lesson of their faith. Through its ministry of color, stained glass blends with the architectural setting to produce a worshipful effect.
The Chancel Window
Because of its position in the sanctuary, this window illustrates the Apostles’ Creed while focusing attention on Jesus Christ as Lord. Conceived in a modified jeweled medallion concept, each medallion is large enough for its subject to be understood, but not so large that it will intrude on the worshipper. In 5 lancets, the iconography moves alternately down and up, and the words of the creed may be easily followed.
In the first lancet is God the Father, the creator. This is followed by the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden; the fall of man shows the need for a savior. Next is Isaiah, typical of the prophets of the Messiah. At the bottom, Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to Mary.
The second lancet continues with the birth of Jesus; his baptism by John in the Jordan and His transfiguration flanked with Moses and Elijah. At the top of the lancet He stands before Pilate.
The third lancet shows the crucified Christ at the top attended by Mary and John. Below Joseph of Arimethea asks for his body, and carries it to the tomb. At the bottom, the guards watch.
The fourth lancet contains the risen Christ, who joins two disciples in the supper of Emmaus, and ascends into heaven. At the top is the scene of Pentecost with Peter in the center.
In the fifth lancet Christ sits enthroned in heaven to judge the living and the dead. The Holy Spirit is shown as a dove. The communion of saints, of which John, Peter and Paul are typical, follows and last is the penitent thief on the cross symbolizing the forgiveness of sins and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Façade (Balcony) Windows
The façade window illustrates the Great Commission. In contrast to medallions, larger figures are enclosed in branches like the tendrils of a vine, for Christ said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” He is shown in the center, sending out not only his Apostles, but figures representative of Church history through the ages.
Above is a ship which refers first to the extensive missionary voyages, later to be often used to symbolize the church. The small fish attached to the hull is the remora, symbol for Christ who keeps the Church on an even keel in the midst of storms and heresy and schism.
Below his feet are the escallop shell of Baptism and the Gospel, for the command is to go into all the world preaching the Gospel and baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The eleven apostles (Judas was dead and Matthias not yet chosen) appear on the curve level with Jesus’ feet. They are not specifically identified unless it is John who is thought to have been younger.
Across the bottom are some of the early Christians, not Apostles, who are mentioned in the book of Acts or who lived in the post-apostolic era. These are labeled. Paul is central among these. He carries his attributes, the book and the sword of the spirit. A Greek building behind him refers to his preaching at Athens. Flanking Paul are his companions Silas and Barnabas. Also seen are Lydia, whom Paul baptized, John Chrysostom, Luke, the evangelist, Stephen, the young deacon who was the first Christian martyr, Athanasius and Priscilla.
On either side of the strong and central trunk of the vine are the pilgrim’s hat and staff and the Methodist Church seal. Above the row of the Apostles are figures of later church history: monks like Francis of Assisi and Columba: leaders of the reformation like Calvin, Luther and Hus: Bible translators Wycliffe and Tyndale, and founders and early leaders of Methodism like the Wesley’s, Whitefield, Coke, Asbury, Carey, Barbara Heck and Thomas Webb.
The lancets at either end, somewhat separated from the five in the center, depict the Acts of Christian Mercy and described in Matthew 25: 35-40. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” These words serve as aguide to contemporary people. These are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and ransoming the captive.
The Nave Windows
The nave windows tell stories of Biblical faith by means of symbols. Symbolism was perhaps better understood by medieval men who could not read and used the fabric of their churches as books. They still provide instruction but in a different way. They arouse curiosity and it is hoped that they will inspire the beholder to search out the meaning.
1 and 2 The Creation (West Wall)
Under the symbol of God the Father, a triangle enclosing a yod, are the
days of creation of the world as told in Genesis.
The first day—separating the light from the dark
The second day—the waters over the firmament
The third day—plant life
The fourth day—the sun, moon and stars
The fifth day—birds and fish
Sixth day—animals and man
Seventh—the Sabbath which is shown by the alter of sacrifice
3 and 4 The 10 Commandments (East Wall)
A scroll with a yod—I am the Lord thy God
A golden calf—the graven image
A hand on an open Bible—shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain
Chalice and host—keep holy the Sabbath
The family group—honor thy father and mother
A sword beaten into a ploughshare—thou shalt do no murder
The serpent of evil—thou shalt not commit adultery
A grasping hand—thou shalt not steal
Balances of justice—though shalt not bear false witness
Eye, house, and wife—though shalt not covet
5 and 6 Twelve Tribes of Israel
Reuben—water, “unstable as water” (Gen. 49:4)
Simon—a fortress, derived from the Midrach
Levi—priest’s breastplate, “Thy Thumin and thy Urim are with the Holy Man (Deut. 38:8)
Judah—lion, “like a Lion’s whelp” (Genesis 49:9)
Zebulon—ship, “Shall be at the haven of ships” (Genesis 49:13)
Issachar—sun and moon—derived from Midrash
Dan--serpent “Shall be a serpent” (Gen. 49.17)
Gad—a camp of tents, “Troops will band against him” (Gen 49:14)
Asher—cornucopia, “out of Asher cometh fat bread and he shall eat royal dainties (Gen 49:20)
Naphtali—hind, “Naphtali is a fleet hind” (Gen 49:21)
Benjamin—wolf, “Shall be as a wolf” (Gen 49:27)
Ephraim and Menassah—bullock and unicorn, derived from the Midrash
7 23
rd Psalm
Sheep and Staff—The Lord is my shepherd
Sheep by a brook—still waters
Graves guarded by a chi rho—the valley of the shadow of death
A well provisioned table—anointing my head with oil
Overflowing cup—Thou preparest a table before me, etc.
The hand of God raised in benediction over a church—I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
8 150
th Psalm
Star of David with two yods and a sun, moon, and stars—praise God in his Sanctuary
Trumpets – Psaltry and harp – Timbrel and stringed instruments – Cymbals. Organ and triangle
9 and 10 Evangelists and Prophets
Matthew—winged man, showing the human nature of Jesus
Mark—winged lion, his Gospel opens with “the voice of one crying in the wilderness”
Luke—winged ox, his Gospel describes the sacrificial nature of Jesus
John—eagle, the most inspirational Gospel which seems to soar heavenward
John the Baptist—His banner and garment of skins
Isaiah—saw, the instrument of his martyrdom and the tongs holding a burning coal with which his
lips were sealed
Daniel—the ram with four horns and goat which he saw in a vision (Daniel 8)
Jeremiah—the cistern in which he was imprisoned and a stone, for he was stoned to death
Ezekiel—a turreted gateway
Malachi—his vision of the son of righteousness, risen with healing in his wings
11 and 12 The Apostles
Peter—crossed keys, the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matt 16:19)
James, the Greater—escallop shells, symbolic of pilgrimage and a sword, instrument of his martyrdom
Phillip-Tau—(T-shaped) cross of prophecy and a basket referring to his presence at the feeding of the five thousand
James the Less—saw and club, instruments of his martyrdom
Thomas—carpenter’s square for he built a church with his own hands and arrows with which he was killed
Simon—book and fish impaled on a boat hook because he was a fisher of men by the power of the Gospel
John—Chalice with a serpent emerging, referring to an attempt to murder him by poisoning the communion wine
Andrew—a fish and boat hook referring to his being a fisherman combined with cross salfire (xshaped) upon which he was crucified
Jude—a ship because of his missionary journeys
Matthew—battleaxe, instrument of his martyrdom and purses referring to his original calling
Bartholomew—cross, and knives: he was flayed and crucified
Matthias (used in place of Judas)—open Gospel and battleaxe, with which he was beheaded
13 and 14 The Beatitudes
A chi rho, sacred monogram for Jesus Christ, on a mountain—the Sermon on the Mount
The city of the new Jerusalem—the kingdom of heaven
The resurrection banner emerging from a tomb—the comfort of those that mourn
The earth proffered by the hand of God—the meek shall inherit the earth
The I.H.S. in clouds—righteousness
Cho rho in glory—mercy
A lily and heart—the pure in heart
Dove with olive branch—the peacemakers
The martyr’s crown and palm—the persecuted
The easter lilies, suggesting resurrection and the chi rho in the presence of Christ—the reward of heaven
15 Christ’s Intimate Ministries
The woman at the well-a chi rho next to a well with a pitcher on the curb
Christ and Nicodemus—the cross is super-imposed over the scroll, the Torah.
The moon and stars refer to his coming at night and the seven branch candlestick to Judaism
Christ at the home of Mary and Martha—shown by a chi rho and a jar of ointment (Mary) and a water pot and asperge (Martha)
The rich young ruler—turns away from the gate, narrow as the eye of a needle, which contains a cross
Salome—asked Christ if James and John, her sons, could sit in His right and left hand. Their symbols flank the cup of suffering of Gethsemane for Christ asks her if they could drink of his cup
16 Christ’s Public Ministry
Christ preaching from the boat is shown by a boat with the anchor cross
Christ blessing the children is shown by a chi rho surrounded by toys and flowers
Christ preaching in the synagogue shows the yod or pointer, the scrolls of the Law and prayer shawl
Render unto Caesar shows a Roman coin and one with a cross flanking the banner of the Roman empire
Christ drives the money changers from the temple is shown a chi rho between two pillars and the benches of the money changers and doves being tipped over
17 and 18 Miracles, Healing on the Right
The water jars under the symbol of marriage—turning water into wine at Cana
The net and many fish—the miraculous draught of fishes
A cross in a boat being tossed by the waves—stilling in the tempest
Five loaves and two fish and twelve baskets—the feeding of the five thousand
A fish with money in its mouth—the tribute money
The hand of Christ raising Jarius’s daughter
Lazarus emerging from the tomb—the raising of Lazarus
Christ’s hand moistening the clay and an eye—restoring the blind man’s sight
The caduceus, the medical symbol, combined with the banner of Rome—healing the Centurion’s servant
The crossed keys and two hands—healing Peter’s mother in law
19 and 20 Parables
Grain growing, some withered by sun or choked by thorns or eaten by birds—the Sower
Hands with bandages while the priest and Levite pass unheeding—the Good Samaritan
Welcoming Hands, fatted calf and garment—the Prodigal Son Sheppard’s staff and sheep—the Good Shepherd
The broom and candle and coin—the Lost Coin
A house built on rock and one on sand
The mustard seed which has grown into a tall tree to house the birds of the air
The talents which were multiplied and the one which was buried—the Parable of the Talents
The scythe cutting both wheat and tares, the tares burning and the wheat bound into sheaves
The 7 branched candlesticks, symbol of worship accompanied by the Pharisee and the humble Publican
21 and 22 The I Am’s of Christ
The manger crib and the chi rho—I am the Messiah
The shepherd’s staff and sheep—I am the good shepherd
The wheat and communion host—I am the bread
The door—I am the door
The lighted lamp—I am the light of the world
Grapes—I am the vine
The phoenix—I am the resurrection
Alpha and Omega—I am alpha and omega, the beginning and ending
A Chi rho flanked by the tablets—I am the Son of God
An open book, A cross and the butterfly of the resurrection—I am the way, the truth, and the life
23 and 24 The Book of Revelation
The lamb on the book of seals
The 7 candlesticks
The seven stars and the hand of God
The four horsemen
The palms and the crown of the martyrs
The seven trumpets
The symbol of the Virgin Mary, the woman clothed with the sun
St. Michael’s balances and spear, the war with the dragon, Satan
The new Jerusalem, under the eye of God
The rivers and the tree of life
Transcribed by Alison Hamilton