History of the Faceted Windows

Written by Pam Burgess

HISTORY OF THE FACETED WINDOWS

THE PARLOR WINDOWS

Dr. Henry Lee Willett, the artist who is responsible for the beautiful windows of our church, designed the parlor windows to express the life of the church through four of its basic functions: worship, preaching, teaching and service.

• The Worship Window: This first window represents the worship of the church, symbolized by the harp. The church is called to perform no higher function than that of worshipping Almighty God. Therefore, the first and last thing God calls upon His church to do is to worship Him. (Given in memory of Mr. Ronald A. Henderson, Sr.)

• The Preaching Window: The second window represents preaching. Here the monogram, chi rho (XP), which are the first two letters of the Greek word meaning Christ, is atop a stylized mountain peak which is reminiscent of the Sermon on the Mount. This window indicates that the theme of all preaching is Jesus Christ. (Given in memory of Mr. James Ford Burgess, Jr.)

• The Teaching Window: The early church developed the tradition of teaching along with that of preaching. Therefore, this third window represents teaching, which is symbolized by the lighted lamp on which there is a small cross. (Given in memory of Mr. George Thomas Hennessey)

• The Service Window: Authentic Christian worshipping, preaching and teaching will result in service to mankind. Thus, it is logical that this last window should represent Christian service as symbolized by the outstretched compassionate hands with the flaming torch of inspiration and enlightenment. (Given in memory of Mr. George Thomas Hennessey)

THE CHANCEL WINDOW

The cross and the resurrection window in the chancel express the heart of the Christian gospel. The cross is the basic symbol of the Christian faith. However, in the time of Jesus, it was an instrument of death. The cross serves as a reminder that Christ died for our sins.

Transcending the cross is a beautiful resurrection window, which keeps before us the victorious fact that Jesus Christ rose again the third day. In this depiction, Jesus is emerging from the tomb. His right hand is raised in blessing while in the left He holds the banner of triumph over the death. In the extreme left portion is a bursting pomegranate, symbolizing the bursting forth of Jesus from the tomb, emerging into life. At the extreme right is a butterfly, representing the resurrection of the body of the Christian. Thus, the dead in Christ will be lifted into the new dimensions of eternal life and will be given bodies fitted for their new existence.

THE FACADE WINDOW

            Leaving the worship service, one will face the beautiful façade window.  This is an interpretation of the Great Commission of Jesus to his disciples.  At the center of the window is an oblong world.  A cross is upon an open Bible, which is superimposed upon the globe, symbolizing that the Church is to go into all the world with the Word of God.  The basic symbol of the cross tells of the redemptive love of God expressed through the death of Jesus Christ.  Representing the power to perform such a task is the descending dove of the Holy Spirit at the top of the window.  The people who have trusted Jesus Christ and have been baptized will take upon themselves the spirit and character of the Lord.  Thus, at the bottom of the window is a fish immersed in waves representing the baptism of Christians into the life of Jesus Christ.  (Given as a special gift by Mr. Frank G. LaPrade and Mr. Garland T.  LaPrade)

The Artist
William Willet

For more information about the artist visit Willet Studios

THE FACETED WINDOW WALL IN THE SANCTUARY

The Window Wall in the sanctuary illustrates the story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

• The First Panel: On the upper left, God’s hand reaches down to create the universe. The sun, moon, and stars are in the sky; and birds fly above the earth where Adam and Eve are seen in silhouette. (Given in memory of Joseph Henry Stultz and Nannie Allen Stultz)
• The Second Panel: At the bottom of the first and second panel, fish swim in the water around the Ark. At the bottom are Noah and his wife and two dogs at the end of the procession of animals emerging tom the Ark to repopulate the earth. Above the Ark, Abraham is being prevented from sacrificing Isaac by an angel. A ram caught in the bush by his horns is seen behind Abraham. (Given in honor of Mary Kathryn Nininger Frith)
• The Third Panel: Noah receives the Tablets of the Law from God on Mt. Sinai. Above is his staff with the brazen serpent roused for the healing of the Israelites bitten by serpents. Below in silhouette is David with his harp. (Given in honor of Madge Field Hooker and Alfred F. Hooker, Sr.)
• The Fourth Panel: This panel is devoted to the Prophets. At the bottom in silhouette is Jonah, who is returned to land after being in the belly of the whale. Next is the fiery chariot in which Elijah rose to heaven. Above that are three lions to which Daniel was thrown but which did not harm him. At the top a seraph seals Isaiah’s lips with a coal from the alter of sacrifice, purifying him and enabling him to prophesy. Close by is the vision of Christ as the suffering servant in the winepress. (Given in memory of Artie Bourne Field)
• The Fifth and Sixth Panels: At the top of these two panels, the life of Jesus begins. The holy family sits in the stable with the ox and the ass. The star shines above them. Below, in smaller scale, are three shepherds and three wisemen. Below the wisemen and to the right, Mary brings two turtledoves to the Temple, and Simeon holds the Christ Child. Across the bottom of the two panels is the scene of Jesus as a boy in the Temple with the learned men. Above them, Mary and Joseph are depicted as having been looking for the boy for three days, and they are entering the back of the Temple. (Given in memory of Nick Prillaman, Sr. and Samuel M. Hedgecock and William Haley Kirk)
• The Seventh Panel: The ministry of Jesus begins with the Sermon on the Mount above and the miracle of feeding the five thousand below. The boy offers Jesus a basket of bread and fish which He miraculously multiplies. (Given in memory of Victor Arlington Lester)
• The Eighth Panel: This contains three of the healing miracles. (Given in memory of Victor Arlington Lester) of Jesus. At the bottom, He heals a blind man by anointing his eyes with moistened clay. In the center, He raises the daughter of Jarius. At the top, a healed leper kneels to thank Jesus for curing him while the nine ungrateful ones go without looking back. (Given in honor of Placide and Steve Mitchell)
• The Ninth and Tenth Panels: The Passion of Jesus extends over the next two panels. At the top, He enters Jerusalem riding an ass, greeted by people waving palsm. In the middle, He presides at the Last Supper, blessing the bread and the wine. Below, in silhouette, Judas steals away with a bag of money. The grapes and sheaf of wheat are the natural elements of the ritual foods. Also seen at the bottom is Jesus kneeling in the Garden of Gethsemane. The cup of His suffering is seen above. (Given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John B. Sparrow and Emmett and Grace Hennessey Stover)
• The Eleventh Panel: Jesus is crucified. In the middle and bottom below is the Great Commission. Jesus, newly risen from the grave, sends out His disciples to “go into all the world and preach the Gospel.” (Given in memory of Max Hubert White)
• The Twelfth Panel: At the bottom is the event of the descent of the Holy Spirit to the faithful gathered together in an upper room to celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost. They experienced a sound like a mighty rushing wind and saw tongues of fire over each head. At the top right, John is sitting writing his vision of the New Jerusalem, the Apocalypse. The eagle is the symbol of John. (Given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Ainsley Jackson Lester)

THE WINDOW IN ENTRANCE HALL TO SANCTUARY

This window which depicts the Good Shepherd with children was given by the church as the Chevis Ferber Horne Honoriam Window.

THE ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION OF THE CHAPEL WINDOWS

“The purpose of the Willet Studios was to design and execute these windows to fill the charming contemporary chapel with color to become the crowning glory of this outstanding group of buildings.”  The interpretation of these windows begins with the window nearest the pulpit and moves consecutively towards the large Narthex Window with the stone cross set in it.

·        The First Window:  This window represents the interpretation of the Divine Grace into everyday human life.  The mood set by this design has an analogy in the spiritual life where the divine light, like grace, must penetrate wherever and whenever it can.  (Given in memory of Mrs. Lena Elizabeth Ramsey Johnson)

·        The Second Window:  This window speaks of the Ascension.  It symbolizes not only the great ascension of Jesus Christ but also the ascension which is a universal law of life.  This ascension of the human spirit in its day is liberated from the finitudes of the material world.  (Donation unknown.)

·        The Third Window:  This window interprets the idea of Resurrection with its colors and form that express life and light and a continuance.  Death has its grip on us all through this life.  Whenever progress is halted, whenever sin straps our idealism, there is death.  Therefore, the design of the window depicts the triumphal busting out and up through death.  (Given in memory of Mrs. Dorothy Spaulding Barker)

·        The Fourth Window:  This window represents the idea of Living Water which, when poured from above in infinite abundance releases the soul from its dry and static existence, setting up in it a new, circulatory activity of the spirit.  (Given in memory of Mrs. J. W. Owen)

·        The Fifth Window (The Narthex Window):  This window is on the Cross Victorious.  There is nothing ambiguous here.  Together all the colors seem to make bold statements and shout of an incredulous victory.  It symbolized the world’s greatest tragedy has become the most stupendous victory; evil and death have been conquered!  Given in memory of Henry Claybrook Lester, Jr.)