The Windows of First Presbyterian Church
The number, placement and design of the windows took into consideration the principles of architecture from the Frank Lloyd Wright School, especially that of letting in as much natural light as possible.
The First Presbyterian Church of Jasper is located at:
3240 St. Charles Ave, at the corner of Northwood & St. Charles, Jasper, IN 47546
Phone: (812) 482-4775
Come join us for study & worship!
Sunday:
Church School - 9:30 a.m.
Worship Celebration - 10:30 a.m.
Coffee fellowship after worship.
Childcare available.
Fully handicapped accessible.
Reverend Larry Langer
presby@psci.net
The large, twin front windows are, in one way, "mirror images" of each other. Comprised of individual "frames," the windows depict both Old and New Testament themes, with the Old Testament themes being mirrored by their corresponding New Testament themes. For example, in the Old Testament window, the Genesis story of Creation is depicted. Corresponding to this in the New Testament window is the Revelation story of the "New Creation" depicted. This pattern of corresponding windows is carried out by the sixteen pairs of depictions. The large center panels in each window depict Jesus and children and Jesus "inviting" the viewer "along the road." In the center of the windows, and utilizing the block work of the wall between the windows is depicted the "Tree of Life."
The side windows continue with the depiction of the Biblical themes begun in the two front windows. There are nine windows divided int three groupings on each side of the sanctuary, but there is only one stained glass window in each of the three groupings. This is in keeping with the Frank Lloyd Wright idea of still allowing in as much light as possible. The windows depict Biblical themes begun in the two front sanctuary windows, which represent the entire Bible, the Old Testament being in the left-hand window and the New Testament in the right-hand window.
The windows depict the six seasons of the Christian Church liturgical year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. The Advent window is depicted by four lit candles, representing Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope, and a stump with a green shoot coming from it, indicating the fulfillment of the prophecy "a shoot shall come forth out of the stump of Jesse," the shoot being Jesus Christ. There are also a "shofar" or ram's horn and an eagle, also drawing to mind two Old Testament prophecies.
The Christmas window shows a white candle with a manger, superimposed over angel wings. A shepherd's crook runs through the scene, as does holly and ivy and musical notes. The musical notes indicate the singing of the angels.
The Epiphany window is the most complicated, as it shows the symbolism of Jesus Christ being the Prophet, Priest, and King. Epiphany is the season when the "wise men from the East" arrived to see Jesus after following the star of Bethlehem. They brought "gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The symbols in the window include an "ephod" which was worn by the priests of the temple; a sword, showing the expectation of Jesus being a warrior king; and, a scepter, showing royalty. Our vision is centered on the "Star of Bethlehem," designed to combine the six-pointed Jewish "Star of David" and the Christian cross.
The Lent window shows three crosses, the middle cross being larger and in white, superimposed over a "mound" of off-white. The "mound" resembles a rock or a "skull" depicting Golgotha, the place of the skull and the hill on which Jesus was crucified. Surrounding the central cross is the bag of silver coins which Judas accepted as payment for betraying Jesus; the rooster which crowed three times after Peter denied that he knew Jesus; the dice that were used to cast lots for Jesus’ garments; the three nails, depicting those which were driven into Jesus’ hands and feet. An awesome visual effect is created by the reddening of two of the nails, indicating the blood poured out by Jesus.
The Easter Window is viewed as if the viewer is standing inside the tomb looking out. The scene outside the tomb is of the Easter Morning sunrise! Still inside the tomb one can see the place where the body had been laid, and the folded grave clothes lying on the stone. On either side of the tomb is Easter lilies and trumpets. Behind all of these things are the giant wings of a yellow butterfly, another symbol for the resurrection to new life.
The Pentecost Window shows the Great Commission of Christ from Matthew 28: "Therefore, go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always to the close of the age." Front and center in this window is a huge globe. Over the globe is a sailing ship, the symbol of the church's missionary work. Over both of these symbols are flags, representing the different continents.
There are two symbols in each window, used to tie the windows together. The first tie is that there is a "source of light." The light may be a candle, the manger, the star of Bethlehem, a white cross, a grave open to the dawning of the new day, or the sail of the boat. The second tie is that in each window in the same place are two fish, the secret, early Christian symbol, indicating, "A group of Christians is meeting here."
Pictures of the side windows will be forthcoming.
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