Featured Window

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: 1943

Subject/Title of Window: Parable of the Good Samaritan, Panel 3

Brief Description of Subject: The 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 and 1957, and moved their stained glass windows to the new church. This window is located on the second level of the Gospel side transept.

The "Parable of the Good Samaritan," was originally a four panel window. At the top of each panel is the name of a different parable which can be found in the Gospel of Luke. Each panel, starting at the left and moving right, pictures a distinct scene from the Parable of the Good Samaritan as found in Luke 10:25 - 37. Above each scene is an inscription from that Parable (KJV), which tell the scene depicted. The four panels were united by the inscription across the bottom: Verse 27 (KJV), "Love thy Lord thy God with all thy heart, ... and LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF," and Verse 37 (KJV), "Do thou likewise." The borders consists of geometrical patterns, birds, angels, boats, and miniature scenes. The new Church was simply not designed to accommodate this window, and it was split up into four individual windows. Thus it can no longer be viewed as the artist intended.

At the top level is pictured a rich man eating, drinking and merry, while in the background is a scythe (death), and the hand of God --- Parable of the Rich Fool found at Luke 12:13 - 21.

Panel 1 started the Parable of the Good Samaritan with "A certain man fell among thieves." Verses 25 - 30.
Panel 2 continued the Parable with "A priest and Likewise a Levite passed by," Verses 31 - 32
This is Panel 3 which depicts Verses 33 - 34 --- "BUT A certain SAMARITAN, as he journeyed, came were he was: and when he saw him, he HAD COMPASSION on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine."

In the arch of the lower section of the window is pictured an angel with an expression of compassion, and holding a banner inscribed, "But a Samaritan had compassion."

The memorial inscription at the very bottom of the panels is not visible. Church records indicate the four panels that made up the original window were donated in memory of Joseph M. Smith and as a tribute to Mrs. Ella Smith, Mr. Fred I. Packard, and Mrs. Ida Packard by their son and daughter, respectively, Mr and Mrs. Leo W. Smith, and dedicated on July 25, 1943.

Inscriptions: Rich Fool
But a Samaritan had compassion
Love thy neighbor as thyself


Condition of Window: Good

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

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