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

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Window

Building Name: Cherry Hill United Presbyterian Church

Studio Name: Phillips Stained Glass Studio

City: Dearborn

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1965

Subject/Title of Window: Faith in the Victory of Jesus Christ

Brief Description of Subject: The window is a triptych that tells of Faith in the Victory of Jesus Christ. The shapes used in the window are contemporary and stylized. The background of the window is composed of rich blue to control the light. These blues are pierced with violets, greens, and reds. Red, yellow and green have been used as accents to relieve the blue. The religious significance of the color is this: blue is the color of truth and Universality; red is the color of Love; and amber or gold is the color of Goodness and Glory. The theme of the window is Faith in the Victory of Jesus Christ. In the center of the window and extending into the side panels we see a Cross. This Cross symbolizes Faith and Redemption. It also symbolizes Jesus Christ. Since the Cross is in the center of the window and is a symbol of the Saviour, we have included symbols of the other members of the Trinity in the two side lights. On the left in the upper part of the window are two Hebrew Yods, symbol of God. On the right side panel we have a cloven-flame-shape which symbolizes the Holy Spirit. By using the Hebrew form we recall the Old Testament Law. The flame of the Holy Spirit recalls Pentecost and the New Testament. The Cross passes through and arises from an orb which then in conjunction with the Cross symbolizes the triumph of the Gospel. The Gospel and also Christ the Word is symbolized in the Bible contained within the orb, the rectangular shapes symbolizing the pages of the Bible. Around the orb, rising from the Cross and passing to the two side panels, is the Victor’s Wreath. Passing diagonally across the window from the lower left to the upper right is the staff of the Banner of Victory, symbolizing Christ’s victory over the grave. Palm Branches crossing diagonally in the opposite direction also symbolizes victory and triumph. In the lower left hand corner of the window is the Shell, symbol of Baptism. In the lower right hand corner are the Chalice and Host, symbol of Communion. As the background color approaches the bottom of the window it gradually shades into lighter blues which then become an area of ambers rising from the front of the Cross, symbolizing Christ’s Resurrection and Glory. Above the orb an area of light blue ascends, symbolizing the upward lift of prayer.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 16'

Width: 6'

Type of Glass and Technique: Slab or Faceted Glass (Dalle de Verre)

Faith in the Victory of Jesus Christ
Faith in the Victory of Jesus Christ

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