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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. John's Episcopal Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Royal Oak

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1961

Subject/Title of Window: Thou Art My Hope O Lord-The Disciple Jesus Loved-Have Faith In God

Brief Description of Subject: This window, consisting of three scenes, is located on the ground floor of the Epistle side transept.

Top Scene: Inscription comes from Psalm 7, "In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust ... for THOU ART MY HOPE, O LORD," (KJV). The scene depicts the Old Covenant and the New Covenant with a believer collecting the blood of Christ as it drips down from the cross. The Old Covenant is the Ten Commandments seen here on tablets divided into four, those relating to relationships with God, and six, those relating to relationships with our neighbor. The New Covenant is God's promise of salvation to those who believe Jesus is the Lord and God. The promise was sealed with the shedding of the blood of Jesus at the Crucifixion --- At the Last Supper Jesus declared, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is pored out for you," Luke 22:20 (NIV). Inscribed on a scroll is the word "Credo," Latin for "I believe" --- the first words of the prayer containing the central beliefs of the Christian Faith.

Middle Scene: Inscription occurs in many Verses in the Gospel of John, i.e. John 21:7, "Then THE DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED," (NIV). In this window's scene the Apostle John is seen resting his head on Jesus' shoulder. The burning heart symbolizes "love." The "IHS" is a Christogram formed from the beginning letters of the Greek word for "Jesus."

Bottom Scene: The inscription comes from the story of the withered fig tree which is found in Chapter 11 of Mark's Gospel. Jesus was hungry and cursed a fig tree for having no fruit. Later when they went by the tree, Peter exclaimed that the tree had withered. " 'HAVE FAITH IN GOD', Jesus answered ... Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours,'" (NIV). The scene is dominated by a figure in the orans pose looking in the direction of Christ (symbolized by a lamb carrying the "victory over death" banner). The anchor cross is an early Christian icon for the hope of eternal life through faith in Christ --- this comes from Hebrews 6:19 referring to the certainty of God's promises, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure," (NIV). Above the outstretched hands of the figure is the "crown of life" --- James 1:12 "... the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him," (NIV). The beehive, in the context of the scene, most likely symbolizes the Christian Church.

In the predella is found a memorial inscription book-ended by boats with the Chi-Rho cross on its sail, symbolizing Christ leading the Christian Community to a safe harbor in life. At the very bottom of the window is the signature of the maker, "Willet Studio Philadelphia PA. 1961."

Inscriptions: Thou Art My Hope O Lord
John The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved
Have Faith In God
In Loving Memory
Harry L. Chapman 1878-1937
Church School Teacher
Vestryman Junior Warden
Devoted Worker
Willet Studio Philadelphia PA 1961


Condition of Window: Good

Height: 80"

Width: 16 1/8"

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

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