For a tour of our beautiful stained-glass windows, read on. We hope that you will come and see them in person.
Five windows above the altar:
Cross and orb – in blue background, blue symbolizing heaven, hope, anticipation, and Mary the mother of God.
Hand of God – The symbol of God the Father, the Creator, maker of heaven and earth, reaching to humans. “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek him” (Ezra 8:22).
Lamb of God with banner and cross – St. John, after baptizing Jesus, said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The banner symbolizes the resurrection.
White dove descending – The emblem of the Holy Spirit.
Seven-branch candlestick
Chapel windows:
Round window facing east –Triangles, trefoils and small crosses surround the Lamb of God who alone is “Worthy to receive power, wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.” (Rev. 5:12). The triangle with three circles – called triquetra – represents the Trinity.
St. Peter Window – St. Peter is holding the crossed keys signifying the keys to the Kingdom of God. St. Peter also holds a fish net with a caught fish inside depicting Peter following Jesus’ call to be a fisher of men. The feast of the Confession of St. Peter is celebrated Jan. 18.
St. Paul Window – St. Paul holds a sword, a Bible and chains, symbols pointing to the life he led. The sword and Bible represent his preaching of the Gospel. Ephesians 6:17 describes the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God Paul suffered martyrdom in Rome by being beheaded in the general persecution of Christians under Nero. Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Of the 21 Epistles in the New Testament, 14 bear the name of St. Paul the Apostle. The feast of the conversion of St. Paul is celebrated Jan. 25; that of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29.
Round Window Facing West – This window is one of two that were first installed in the original St. Paul’s on Third Avenue and Poplar Street, built in 1873. The window depicts a dove descending in fire. Note the double triangles forming a six point star, the star of David.
Nave windows:
Woman from Galilee – This unidentified woman, perhaps Mary Magdalene, who was the first to see Jesus as he appeared first to her. (Mark 16:9.)
Jesus with a child – “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs” (Mark 10:14). Jesus stands outside the city with his fingers lovingly placed on a child’s head.
Window behind baptismal font – The window on the left depicts the Nativity of Our Lord with Mary and Joseph adoring the Christ child in the manger. Mary’s hands are folded across her breast and Joseph’s right hand touches his heart. In his left hand he holds a staff. Note the flower at the top. It represents Christ, the “shoot from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), since Joseph is a descendant of Jesse and David (Matthew 1:6-16). Below this scene on the window is a circle enclosing the angel who announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds (Luke 2:11).
The window on the right depicts Our Lord’s ascension into heaven. He holds a cross with one hand and points heavenward with the other. Below him note the guards fast asleep. In the circle below this scene is a winged bird, the phoenix, a symbol of the Resurrection.
The Evangelists’ window
(a) St. Matthew window: The emblem of the “Divine Man” was assigned to St. Matthew because his Gospel teaches about the human nature of Christ. The feast of St. Matthew is observed Sept. 21. Matthew was one of the 12 Apostles.
(b) St Mark window: The winged lion, ancient symbol of Mark, refers to his Gospel which teaches most fully the Resurrection of Christ and the royal dignity of Christ. The feast of St. Mark is April 25.
(c) St. Luke window: The winged ox is assigned to St. Luke. The ox is a humble beast of burden a symbol of service. Luke’s Gospel deals with Christ the servant and sacrifice. The feast of St. Luke is Oct. 18. Besides his Gospel, he wrote the Acts of the Apostles.
(d) St. John window: The ancient symbol of the rising eagle is assigned to St. John because he pierced further into the mysteries of Heaven than any other person. The feast of St. John is two days after Christmas, Dec. 27.
North Transept area windows
The white descending Dove. The dove is the emblem of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22).
The Baptismal Font – It contains the water for Baptism.
The unleavened bread – used in Holy Communion.
A bundle of wheat – Wheat symbolizes bounty, thanksgiving when displayed in a sheaf (bundle). It depicts Eucharist when combined with grapes or a vine.
Grapes. – They symbolize the wine used in Holy Communion, the blood of Christ, especially when depicted with wheat.
The silver chalice – This is another symbol of Holy Communion.
Olive branches – They symbolize peace and atonement.
Noah’s ark – The ship that God instructed Noah to build. The ark symbolizes a place of safety.
The Good Shepherd “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures…” (Psalm 23:1, 2) “He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.” (Isaiah 40:11). “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).
Round Window on east wall –The middle circle is composed of the two initial Greek letters of the name of Christ, Chi (X) and Rho (P). The sevenfold flame represents the tongues of fire that rested on the people on the day of Pentecost, representing the power of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-4) The seven branches represent the seven gifts of the spirit.
