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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: First United Methodist Church

Studio Name: Beaux Art Studio

Artist Name: Francois Grenier

City: Farmington

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

Date of Window: 1922

Subject/Title of Window: Early Pioneers of Christendom

Brief Description of Subject: This four lancet window, located in the chancel, was given the name "Pioneers of Christendom" by the Church. The window was donated by the family of Martha and Fred M. Warner (Governor of Michigan from 1905 - 1911) and was dedicated to the memory of their parents as well as Farmington's early pioneers.

Lancets left to right:
John Wesley (1701) Pioneer of Evangelical Christianity. An Anglican priest who started a revival movement from within the Church of England called "Methodism." Because of his views, in his early ministry he was denied the pulpit in many Churches, forcing him to preach outdoors. John Wesley is pictured preaching. He is costumed in a Geneva gown (preaching robe) and is holding a Bible.
John Wycliffe (1330 - 1384) A pioneer in having the Bible translated from the Vulgate into English. He was a priest known for his criticism of the Church. He wanted to replace the Church hierarchy with priests who did not need to take the vows, lived in poverty, and were to just preach the Gospel. His followers were known as "Lollards." This window's portrayal of him is based on a circa 1828 painting of John Wycliffe by Thomas Kirkby.
St. Paul (c.5 - 65) An early pioneer in spreading Christianity. He is shown here with his attributes of a book and a sword. There are two different explanations of these attributes for St. Paul. The most likely for this picture: the book refers to his writings (credited with 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament), and the sword symbolizes that he was martyred by beheading. In the other case: the book and the sword refers to his writing about putting on the "Armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10 - 18) --- the sword was the word of God. Less likely as this would usually be pictured with the sword atop an opened book.
St. John the Baptist (d. 32 AD) A pioneer that prepared the way for Christ. He is pictured here with a walking stick topped by a cross and a banner. He is pointing to the banner, that in portrayals of him, would have been inscribed with the words he spoke as Jesus was approaching him to be baptized: "Ecce Agnus Dei" --- Behold! the Lamb of God. The phrase "Lamb of God" has its origin in the Jewish preparation for the celebration of Passover. Celebrants would select a spotless lamb and isolate it for three days before sacrificing it, this became known as the "Lamb of God." By John applying this to Jesus, he is proclaiming that Jesus is the sacrificial lamb that will be slaughtered so that we may have eternal life.

Height: ~16'

Width: 11'

Pioneers of Christendom
Pioneers of Christendom
John Wesley
John Wesley
John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe
John Wycliffe by Thomas Kirkby
John Wycliffe by Thomas Kirkby
St. Paul
St. Paul
St. John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist
Pioneers of Christendom outside
Pioneers of Christendom outside

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.

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