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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: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1947

Subject/Title of Window: Salome and Ruth

Brief Description of Subject: This window was designed for this Parish's Gothic styled Church which opened in 1926. Subsequently the congregation needed a larger church and replaced this with a modern styled church which opened in 1957, taking their stained glass to the new Church. This window is now located on the second level of the Gospel side transept.

This is the "Salome and Ruth Window." The panels were designed to be separate windows, but have now been combined to form a two panel window. Each panel is bordered by geometrical patterns, pictures of animals, boats, angels, buildings, et al.

Salome Panel: Salome the righteous (as opposed to Salome of the Herod family), was the wife of Zebedee, and the mother of the Apostles James the Greater and John. She accompanied Jesus on his journeys, and according to the Gospels, was present at the Crucifixion (Mark 15:40), as well as the empty tomb on Easter morning (Mark 16:1).

The upper section of this panel combined with the scene above the figure of Salome is based on "Salome's Request of Jesus," found in Matthew 20:20 - 21 --- "Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 'What is it you want?' he asked. She said, 'Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.'" (NIV).

The memorial inscription at the bottom of this panel is not visible. Church records indicate that it was a gift of one of their families and dedicated July 6, 1947.

Ruth Panel: The story of Ruth is told in the Old Testament "Book of Ruth." Brief synopsis --- To escape the famine in Judah, Naomi, with her husband and two sons, moved to the foreign country of Moab, where their sons married the Moabite women, Oprah and Ruth. Tragedy struck as Naomi's husband and two sons died. With the famine over in her native land, Naomi decided to return, and told her daughter's-in-law that it would be best for them to remain in Moab as they would be treated as foreigners in Bethlehem with little chance of finding a husband. Oprah reluctantly took her advice but Ruth clung to her and said, "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God," Ruth 1:16 KJV (signifying her conversion to Judaism). They arrived in Bethlehem during the barley harvest and Ruth was forced to glean. A man named Boaz gave her permission to glean his field and became so impressed by her kind heart and loyalty to Naomi, that he made arrangements to marry her despite the fact she was a foreigner. Boaz and Ruth had a son named "Obed," who had a son named "Jessie," who had a son named "David," Ruth 4:21 - 22. Thus Ruth is the great grandmother of David and an ancestor of Jesus.

The upper section of this panel pictures an angel holding a shield with the "Star of David," and the "Lion of Judah." The Star of David has become the symbol of Judaism; it is also known as the "Shield of David," as it symbolizes God's protection of David. The "Lion of Judah" is the Jewish symbol for the tribe of Judah. In Christianity it is an icon for Christ which stems from Revelation 5:5 --- "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not, behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and loose the seven seals thereof," (NIV).

In the lower section of the panel is the figure of Ruth holding stalks of barley and a scythe, which is used in the harvesting of barley --- both referencing her gleaning. At her feet is a lamb, most likely symbolizing that Jesus (Lamb of God) is her descendant. Above her figure is the scene of the departure of Naomi from Moab with Ruth clinging to her and Oprah disheartened to stay behind.

The memorial inscription at the bottom of this panel is not visible. Church records indicate this panel was given in memory of Gertrude S. Bagot and Anna Belle Bagot by the members of their family: Mr. and Mrs. Bert Edge, Mrs. Christine Edwards, and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Jory and dedicated January 27, 1946.

Inscriptions: James
John
Salome
Ruth
Naomi
Ruth the Gleaner


Condition of Window: Good

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

Salome and Ruth
Salome and Ruth
Salome and Ruth upper
Salome and Ruth upper
Salome and Ruth lower
Salome and Ruth lower

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