St. Andrew's Episcopal Church : The Stained-Glass Windows

These stained-glass windows were installed at Old St. Andrew’s in the late 1940’s. They were brought to our new building. The text below gives an idea of what the images could symbolize and an appropriate biblical verse relating to that idea.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke 2:46.The sacristy window shows the hand of God, the scriptures, and a star of David. It could be an allusion to Joseph and Mary finding Christ in the temple when he was still a youth. After three days, they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke 1:28. Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with thee. This is the Annunciation, the greeting the angel speaks to Mary.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke 2:11. A daisy, symbolizing innocence and a Chi Rho (XP), could signify the birth of both goodness and an anointed king. …to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This is the Christmas window.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke 2:30. A window that perhaps refers to Christ revealed as Messiah. As Simeon said at Christ's presentation in the Temple …for my eyes have seen your salvation.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matthew 26:26-28. This window symbolizes the Last Supper with a Chalice and Host. While they were eating, Jesus too a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, He gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat, this is my body.” Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John 11:25. The butterfly symbolizes the Resurrection. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die will live.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John 2:1. A window showing a candle and wedding rings may allude to Christ’s first miracle at the wedding at Cana. On the third day there was a wedding at Cana, and the mother of Jesus was there.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Luke 10:27. A window showing a rose. The rose is a universal symbol for love that also represents the unity that is desired for God’s people as they learn to love God and each other. A flower slowly unfolds to reveal its full self and beauty. In our Christian walk, we too slowly unfold as we learn to love more and live the Christian life. He answered, “You should love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”