Windows
Posted on December 18, 2009 - Filed Under Uncategorized |
As we enter the nave and look toward the front, the first object that strikes our vision like a sunburst is the Memorial Window blazing with a gem-like iridescence. As we walk toward it and stand beneath its unrivalled splendor, we see the familiar figures of the Gospel story, clothed with majesty, and surrounded by the symbols of our Christian faith and hope.
The central of the five larger panels, toward which all eyes are drawn, represents Christ as the Peace Maker. In His left hand He holds a globe, on the top of which is a cross, the historic emblem of the truth that peace and goodwill come through the crucifixion of selfishness. The right hand of Jesus is upraised to bless the whole world. The sheep about His feet refer to the Good Shepherd of St. John, who was solicitous for his human flock.
The figures on the left and right of Christ are His Mother Mary and His cousin, John the Baptist. These two people were the associates of Jesus during the early years of His life, His Mother attending Him unto the end. John the Baptist helped to prepare the Way for Jesus, when He began his public ministry. John, at the right, is clothed as the New Testament tells us in a rough garment of camel’s hair. Since he spoke of Jesus as the “Lamb of God”, this salutation is symbolized by the Shepherd’s crook in his left hand. The Mother of Jesus in the panel to the left of Him is represented as being in the attitude of prayer.
St. Paul, the fearless figure in the far left panel, holds in his right hand a book as a symbol of his calling to be a preacher to the Gentile also represents his mission as a powerful writer, who sustained by his burning epistles the Christian faith of the church he established. The sword in his left hand indicates the instrument that caused his death as a martyr to the Faith.
The panel at the extreme right depicts Peter as a fiery and fearless leader. He is holding a scroll containing the teachings of of Jesus, which he, as the appointed apostle to the Jews, was to carry to distant lands. He also holds the keys, which typify that belief in Christ is the rock on which the Church is founded, and which opens to all the benefits of the Christian religion.
Underneath these great figures are striking emblems. Below the figure of Mary is the coat of arms of the State of Michigan, while below the figure of St. John is the coat of arms of the United States of America. Beneath the painting of Jesus appears the Cross and the Latin inscription: I. H. S. meaning I-Jesus; H-Hominum; S-Salvator: “Jesus the Savior of Man”.
Sometimes it is known as “In Hoc Salus”-In this (Cross) is salvation.
The five smaller panels-the Predella-reading from left to right, present the great scenes in the life of Jesus. The first panel shows the Nativity or the birth of Christ in the stable at Bethlehem and the adoring of the infant Savior by the Magi. In the second panel is seen the Baptism of Christ in the river Jordan. John is performing the act. Mythical angels are in the back-ground. The third panel depicts Christ on the Cross, at the foot of which stands His Mother and His beloved disciple St. John. The fourth panel shows Christ rising from the tomb. The fifth panel depicts the Ascension of Christ into Heaven, in the sight of His disciples gazing toward their departing Master and filled with wonderment at the great event.
The inscription plate below the center panel bears the name of Rachel Babcock Upjohn in whose memory the window was given. Alfred E. Floegel, who designed the window, describes the artistic features as follows: The ornamentation of the Tracery and Canopy work is in the style of English Perpendicular Gothic. In the upper section of the diamond shaped portion of the tracery is the Star of Bethlehem”, radiating its rays through the whole tracery. The color effect is brought out by light tints and golden decorations with little spots of color here and there to bring out more vividly the artistic effect of ornamentation. Directly beneath the Star of Bethlehem and in the section on either side are three heavenly spirits standing on pinnacles symbolic of their heavenly abode.
SOUTH SANCTUARY WINDOW
(Taken from THIS FAR BY FAITH, A Sesquicentennial History of the First Congregational Church
of Kalamazoo, Michigan 1835-1985, Reverend William A. Keith, Senior Minister, 1939-1969)
When the present church was dedicated in 1928, the window at the back of the sanctuary was a continuation of those on the side walls with inserts of Bible incidents. The glass was later replaced with the present design which glows in appealing blue shades, especially in the winter when the sun is at midday. The design was planned to show, by nearly life-sized figures, the influence of Jesus upon representative realms of human achievement.
At the peak of the arch is the dove, the ancient symbol of the Divine Spirit. Below and at the sides are the sun and the moon, representing the created universe. Designs at the lower part of the arch represent mechanical inventions which aided mankind.
In the central panel Christ is seated on an invisible throne, one hand resting on the Bible and the other raised in blessing. At the left is the figure of John Marshall, an expounder of the Constitution and the law. On the right is the figure of Florence Nightingale, the founder of nurses training and the embodiment of mercy. The influence of Christianity on human thought and inquiry is symbolized by the Apostle Paul (to the right of Jesus) who shaped the early church as ambassador to the Gentiles. He is facing Lyman Abbott, a latter-day proclaimer of the World. Seated below is John Wycliffe, one of the first translators of the Bible into English, making it available to the common people.
The panel at the extreme right represents the influence of Jesus on art, literature, and education. Michelangelo stands projecting a creative vision, with Moses in miniature in his right hand and a sculptor’s mallet in his left. Below is Shakespeare as the representative of the supreme writers of human understanding. Erasmus represents the inquiring mind and the fearless search for the truth.
In the panel at the left of Jesus are the concerned humanitarians, Lord Shaftesbuiy, and Abraham Lincoln with unshackled slaves at his knees. At the extreme left is a group of figures depicting Jesus’ influence upon science and knowledge: Louis Pasteur, Isaac Newton, and Michael Faraday.
The lower section of the window contains some symbolic designs: the architect and the mason; Joan of Arc, with her vision; recreation, children at wing; Handel and choir boys at the organ.
Along the bottom of the main panel is the inscription:
THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SOWN IN PEACE OF THEM THAT MAKE PEACE. W.A.K.