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

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Window

Building Name: St. John's Episcopal Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Royal Oak

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

Subject/Title of Window: Crucifixion of Christ triptych

Brief Description of Subject: Crucifixion of Christ Triptych is located on the second level of the Epistle side transept. Rather unusual, the altar is situated in the center of the transept, so that this window can be considered in the sanctuary. Normally such a window as this would be located above the altar. The design for this three lancet window is based on a sketch the Willet Studios did for the Central Methodist Church, Detroit in 1954.

The center lancet features Jesus on the cross, enclosed in a mandorla. The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, Alpha and Omega, seen on the perimeter of the mandorla, symbolize Christ as "the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last," Revelation 22:13 (KJV). Directly above Jesus' head is the Holy Spirit in the symbolic form of a descending dove (Matthew 3:16). The presence of the Holy Spirit at the Crucifixion is found in Hebrews 9:14, "The blood of Christ, who through the Spirit, offered himself unblemished to God," (NIV). Also above his head are seen a small sun and moon. In Medieval times, the sun and moon began appearing on depictions of the Crucifixion. It is believed they referred to the darkness that set over the land during the Crucifixion. At the foot of the cross, three nails, a symbol for Christ's suffering at the Crucifixion. The buildings seen in the background would be Jerusalem.

The left lancet features three woman standing near the cross. From John 19:25, these would be the Virgin Mary, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.

The right lancet features the Apostle John and a Roman soldier. According to John 19:26, John was present at the Crucifixion standing near Jesus' mother. The Roman soldier is identified in Mark 25:39 --- "And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said 'Surely this man was the Son of God,'" (NIV).

Condition of Window: Good

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

Crucifixion of Christ triptych
Crucifixion of Christ triptych
The Three Marys
The Three Marys
Crucifixion
Crucifixion
Apostle John and a Roman Soldier
Apostle John and a Roman Soldier
Willet studio sketch
Willet studio sketch

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