• General Condition
• Original Windows
• Installation of New Windows
• Repurposing the Stained Glass

General Condition of United Church Stained Glass Windows

"As is seen in stained glass windows of this age, the leading has deteriorated significantly over the years due to air pollution and traffic vibration, among other factors. The weight of the windows has caused sagging and a general weakness in the window structure. This allows moisture and cold air to enter causing damage and resulting in heat loss. Several iron bars, called saddle bars, are let into the wood frame of the window at various levels to provide additional support to the window. This is accomplished by means of copper wires soldered to the leading on the inside of the window which are then twisted around the saddle bars. Since these bars are captive in the wood sash, the sagging of the window has caused the wires to tear the leading in the area of their attachment, thereby weakening the window further."

"Each window consists of two panels which are approximately 4-'4" wide by 9'-0" tall. Thus, each set rises over 20 feet from the main floor. Four of the sets of windows in the sanctuary have been rebuilt in past years and aluminum frames for the lower operating panels at the main floor added. An upper panel, located above the panel iin the choir office was rebuilt by Cline Conservators." The remaining windows in the sanctuary and a back hall "have not been worked on in any large part since their original installation" in the late 1800's.

Project to Replace the Windows

In July 2015, the congregation considered alternatives and voted to replace the windows with obsure glass by Pella. The stained glass will be removed and sections stored until they can be restored and repurposed as interior decorative displays. The pictures below highlight those sections to be saved, restored, and repurposed.

Romanesque Panel: Visible above the balcony in the sanctuary, arched romanesque panels measure 4-'4" wide and 4-'5" tall. A medallion with Christian symbols is featured surrounded with two floral motifs. These panels will be restored and framed and hung in front of the new windows, positioned in front of their current position in the balcony.

Dedicatory Panel: On the main floor of the sancturary, dedicatory panels measure 4'4" wide and 2'6" tall. A circular dedication for early leaders of the church grace each window. The circles are surrounded by variations of a geometric motif.

Ventilation Panel: At the base of the lower windows is a movable section which can be opened for ventilation. This 4'4" by 2'5" section is decorated with variations on a geometric motif.

Floral Panels: In addition to dedicatory panels in the lower section of the choir room and the back hallway windows, there is a floral panel of lilies which warrant restoration.

Window History (Taken in part from a Centennial Celebration booklet): The stained glass windows were not part of the church when it was completed in 1858. As part of a long term remodeling project ending in 1889, the windows were contributed to the church by individuals or their friends as memorials of the members noted below.

Note: Sections to be restored for each 2-part window are pictured below. For larger views, click the picture.

#1
Lamb Standing with the Banner of Victory

Lamb: The Lamb of God represents Jesus Christ, the perfect, sinless sacrifice offered by God to atone for the sins of man. Aso a symbol for Christians as Christ is our Shepherd and Peter was told to feed His sheep.

No longer wounded as in Rev 5:1, but standing with the banner of victory, suggesting the victorious nature of His sacrifice.

The three-rayed nimbus or halo denotes deity.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter ...

John 1:29
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

Revelation 7:10
And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

#1
Bottom Panel
Front

#2
Crown and Cross

The Cross and Crown is a familiar symbol in Christian churches. It represents the reward awaiting in heaven (the crown) that believers will receive after the suffering and trials of life on earth (the cross).

The crown represents royal power with the cross symbolizing Christ.

James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

#3
Holy Bible

2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...

Matthew 5:18
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

#4
Sheaf of Wheat

Sheaf of Wheat is a symbol of having plenty, thanks to God’s blessing. A second interpretation is: the mature grain in the sheaf is the direct symbol of the Resurrection  - the life beyond the grave, the fulfillment of the promise of Jesus Christ.

John 12:24
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

#5
Anchor

The Christians adopted the anchor as a symbol of hope in future existence because the anchor was regarded in ancient times as a symbol of safety. For Christians, Christ is the unfailing hope of all who believe in him: Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and several of the early Church Fathers speak in this sense. The anchor represents strength and stability of the church. The way the anchor is made also allows for it to double as a cross.

Hebrews 6:19 that reads, “
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain.

#6
Crown

The Crown represents immortality. The crown royal lineage and kingship of Jesus and with three points represents the Trinity,

Revelation 2:10
...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 

I Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.   

I Corinthians 9:25
...they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.  

#7
Dove

The Dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and used especially in representations of our Lord's Baptism and the Pentecost. It also symbolizes the release of the soul in death, and is used to recall Noah's dove, a harbinger of hope.

According to Matthew 3:16, during the Baptism of Jesus the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and came to rest on Jesus. For this reason the dove became a symbol of the Holy Spirit and in general it occurs frequently in connection with early representations of baptism.

Matthew 3:16
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.

Mark 1:10
Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Luke 3:22
and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.

#8
Lilies

The lily symbolizes purity.

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ...

#8
Bottom Panel
Front

Choir Room
John S Brown

Establish church 1841

Back Hall/Stairs
Dea. Henry H Brown

Establish church 1841