Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Mariners' Church

Studio Name: Lamb (J. and R.) Co.

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 5 (gothic arched, 2 vertical sections)

Subject/Title of Window: James Major and Paul

Brief Description of Subject: Above the lancets of the Apostle James Major and Paul is a descending dove, the symbol for the Holy Spirit who descended like a dove at Christ's baptism. The borders of the lancets were designed with grape leaves --- a symbol of Christ as he stated in John 15:5 "I am the vine."

In the left lancet is St. James Major holding a book. This become one of his attributes for his preaching the "Word of God" in Galicia, Spain. When he returned from Galicia to Judea, Herod had him put to death by beheading. Legend has his headless body brought back to Galicia by boat and as they were approaching the shore, a knight on horseback plunged into the sea from a high cliff; miraculously saved by the intervention of St. James Major, the knight emerged on horseback from the sea covered with scallop shells. The scallop shell became James' chief attribute and can be seen on his shield.

In the scene below the lancet of James Major is "The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost" and is covered in Acts 2:1-4 (NSRV) "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like a rush of violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability." The shields at the top corners both symbolize the "seven gifts of the Holy Spirit".

In the right lancet is St. Paul posed in the act of preaching. His shield is inscribed with the words "SPIRITUS GLADIUS" (Sword of the Spirit) which comes from one of his most memorable writings the "Whole Armor of God' (Ephesians 6:10 - 17) "Take up the whole armor of God ... the belt of truth, ... breastplate of righteousness, ... shoes to proclaim the gospel of peace, ... shield of faith, ... helmet of salvation, ... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Below the shield is a scene that is part of "Soul's Conversion" found in Acts 9:1-19 (NRSV) "Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that any who belonged to the Way, men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, 'SAUL, SAUL' why do you persecute me?' He asked, 'Who are you Lord?' the reply came, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." The shields in the top corners are a ring cross and the light from heaven that flashed around Saul.

Inscriptions: In Memoriam
Lena F. Hinchman
Wife of W.H.D. Hinchman
Mother of Virginia Lee Hinchman


Height: 14' 9.5"

Width: 4' 4.5"

The MSGC is a constantly evolving database. Not all the data that has been collected by volunteers has been sorted and entered. Not every building has been completely documented.

All images in the Index are either born-digital photographs of windows or buildings or are scans of slides, prints, or other published sources. These images have been provided by volunteers and the quality of the material varies widely.

If you have any questions, additions or corrections, or think you can provide better images and are willing to share them, please contact donald20@msu.edu