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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Christ Church Cranbrook

Studio Name: D'Ascenzo Studio

City: Bloomfield Hills

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1927

Subject/Title of Window: Life of Christ

Brief Description of Subject: This window features 12 medallions, each of which depicts a scene from the life of Christ with an appropriate inscription from Scriptures. A descriptive name for each of the scenes, with their accompanying inscriptions and Biblical sources, is as follows:

1. Nativity- “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1:14).
2. Boy Jesus’ discussion with the doctors-”A little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6).
3. Baptism-”Behold the Lamb of God.” (John 1:39).
4. Raising the dead at Nain-”I say to thee, arise.” (Luke 7:14).
5. Washing the Apostles’ feet (obscured by a screen)-”Through love be servants to one another.” (Galatians 5:13).
6. The Last Supper-”Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19).
7. The Agony of the Garden of Gethsemane-”Not my will, but thine.” (Luke 22:19).
8. Calvary-”And they crucified him.” (Luke 23:33).
9. the Resurrection-”The Lord is risen indeed.” (Luke 24:34).
10. Resurrection Appearances, On the Road to Emmaus-”Behooved it not the Christ to suffer?” (Luke 24:26).
11. Whitsunday or Pentecost-”They are filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:4)
12. The Ascension-”Lo, I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20).

Above, in the intersecting tracery, are symbols for Christ. Far left, the phoenix bird in flames -- according to legend the phoenix would set its nest on fire, burning itself to death, only to rise from the ashes. This gave rise to the phoenix bird as a symbol for Christ as he arose from the dead. The first and last Greek letters "Alpha and Omega" are words spoken by Christ in Rev.1:8 --- meaning, that he is the beginning and end of all things. Far right, a pelican feeding its hatchlings. At one time it was believed that a mother pelican wound open a wound in its chest with its own beak to feed its blood to save its starving brood. From this belief arose the pelican as a symbol for Christ as he shed his own blood for our salvation. In the middle is the "Ark of Christ's Church". Noah's ark is seen as prefiguring salvation by baptizing; a Baptismal prayer from the 1559 "Book of Common Prayers" "wash them with the Holy Ghost, that the being, delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ARK OF CHRIST'S CHURCH."

The sketch for this window resides in the D'Ascenzo Studio Archives located in the Athenaeum of Philadelphia.

Inscriptions: At the base of the window are depicted a bride and groom, with this inscription: “This window is erected in joyful remembrance of September 27, 1924, whereon Carolyn and Henry Booth were united in Marriage.”


Condition of Window: Good

Height: 30'

Width: 8'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came

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