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Introduction:
Stained glass windows have for centuries been used to illuminate the interiors of churches. They have been one of the great story tellers of our Bible heritage.
Stained glass is a misnomer, as the glass is not stained but is colored by the adding of certain oxides or metals to the molten glass. The process of making these windows has not changed radically through the centuries. During the Middle Ages, the scarcity of colored glass helped create beautiful windows made with small pieces of glass. Using large pieces was tried at a later time, but the windows lost the brilliancy produced by sun and light penetrating the many facets of small pieces.
The stained glass windows in our church represent the seals of ten historic expressions of the reformed faith. Each seal is placed on a panel of rich blue glass, the symbolic color of heaven and heavenly love. It is the’ color of truth, because blue always appears in the sky after clouds are dispelled suggesting the unveiling of truth and hope. A golden beaded chain of glass, letting in a halo of light around each blue field, is the background for each seal.
The windows were made possible by gifts from individuals over and above their regular contributions.
— March 1984
BEGINNING AT THE FRONT OF THE SANCTUARY:
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The first window on the East side is the seal of the Presbyterian Church in the United States: The seal of green, the color of life and of things growing, is framed by the green olive branches of peace. The dove represents the Holy Spirit. The star represents Christ. The lamp represents the witnessing church. The burning bush represents the indestructible church. The wreath represents the victorious church. The translation of the verse on the ribbon is: “The light shines in the darkness” (Lux Lucet in Tenebris). |
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The second window on the East side is the seal of Switzerland. The large shield has a scarlet field, the color of Switzerland, in the center of which, in a circle, is the seal of the Reformed Church of Geneva. On one side a golden key and on the other a crowned single eagle, in blue on a field of gold. Above is a radiant sun with the monogram "I.H.S." in the center – "Jesus, the Savior of men” (Jesus Homium Salvator). A wreath of oak and laurel is below. This is the cantonal ecclesiastical symbol of Geneva. |
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The third window on the East side is the seal of France: A shield with a blue field, covered with golden fleur de lis (lilies), the floral emblem of France; Golden yellow is the color of sun and divinity. In the center is the seal of the Reformed Church of France. The design is a burning bush with "Jehovah" in Hebrew characters across the flame. The motto is “Flagror non Consumor” ( I am burned but not consumed). The legend on the scroll around the seal is “S. Synodi Ecclesiae in Gallia Reformatae” (Seal of the Synod of the Reformed Church in Gaul). |
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The fourth window on the East side is the seal of Germany: The shield is in black and red with a white bar diagonally across the center. These are the color s of Germany and Switzerland from which the German Reformed Church received its chief strength. Red is the color of blood, which is associated with emotions, both love and hate. White is the color of purity and innocence. On the upper part is a scroll inscribed “Heidelberg Catechism, Palatinate AD 1563.” The creed of the Geneva Reformed Church was established in Heidelberg, the capital city of the province of Palatinate. Below the scroll is a plain seal inscribed “Freie Evangelishe Kirohe Deuteohlands” (Free Evangelical Church of Germany). Across the center is the single word “Presbyterium.” |
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The fifth window on the East side is the seal of Holland: The shield has a blue field, upon which is a bronze circle bearing a medal commemorative of the Synod of Dort. It shows a temple upon the top of a rook. Worshipers are ascending to the temple by a highway out into the rook. The four winds, represented in the form of cherubs, appear at the four corners blowing upon the rook. The scroll surrounding the figure reads "Ervnt Vt Mons Sion MDCXIX” (They are as Mount Zion, AD 1619), depicting the church, under all the winds of persecution, is as Mt. Zion and cannot be removed. The winds could also be the symbols of heavenly influences upon the church. |
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The first window on the West side is the seal of England-Wales: The shield is soar let; sprinkled with roses in gold. The seal is a double circle. On one is the seal of the Westminster General Assembly showing an open Bible. On the other is the burning bush, the seal of the Scotch Kirk, set upon an open rose. Above it all is the dove with outspread wings. The symbolism expresses the fact that the Church of England was formed by a union of the Scotch Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, and English Presbyterian and their seals are blended as above to make the seal of the United Church. |
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The second window on the West side is the seal of Ireland: The shield has a green field sprinkled with golden shamrocks. The bronze colored seal shows the burning bush. Above it is the motto “Ardens Sed Virens” (Burning, but Flourishing). The scroll surrounding the seal reads “General Assembly Presbyterian Church in Ireland.” |
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The third window on the West side is the seal of Italy: The seal of the Vaudois or Waldensian Church is shown in the center of the Italian Coat of Arms. It is a candle in a candlestick surrounded by seven golden stars, and on the scroll the motto “Lux Lucet in Tenebris” (The light shineth in the darkness). It represents the historic character and position of the Waldensian Church which existed from the earliest times in the Italian Alps. |
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The fourth window on the West side is the seal of Bohemia/Moravia: At the top on one side of the shield is the Coat of Arms of Bohemia, a rampant lion in silver upon a scarlet field. The other side shows the Moravian eagle checkered scarlet and silver, on a blue field. The oval in the center bears the seal of the church of Bohemia: a cup standing upon a Bible and a palm branch laid at the bottom. The motto below, “Veritas Omnia Vincet,” means “Truth conquers all things.” The legend reads: “Ev Ref Kolinske Pecet Cirkve” (Seal of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Kolinske). |
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The fifth window on the West side is the seal of Hungary: The shield bears the Coat of Arms of Hungary. In the center is the seal of the Reformed Church of the Superintendency of Debrecsin. It represents the Lord’s baptism. The Savior is standing in the stream while John the Baptist, kneeling on the bank above, baptizes Him by profusion. On the opposite side is the Agnus Dei. Just above is a clump of trees behind which is a lion in retreat, representing the fleeing of Satan from the presence of the Lord. A dove from above descends upon the person of our Savior. The motto reads “A Helv Hitv Tiszanturli Egyhazkerulet Pecsete", meaning “The seal of Helvetic Confession, Superintendency beyond the (river) Tisza.” |
