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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Westminster Presbyterian Church

Studio Name: Grand Rapids Art Glass Co.

City: Grand Rapids

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1939

Subject/Title of Window: Behold I Stand, Christ Knocking at the Door

Brief Description of Subject: East side of sanctuary
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

This tall narrow window was dedicated on December 31, 1939. It was given in memory of Joseph A. Solomons by his wife. Mr. Solomons was an active member of Westminster for many years serving as a trustee and treasurer. He was a partner in a local clothing store, The Star Apparel, on Monroe Avenue. The following information was taken from an article that appeared in the Grand Rapids Press in 1939. "The window's subject was taken from William Holman Hunt's famous picture The Light of the World. Rich reds, greens and blues combine artistically with more neutral colorings in the window which was made in the studios of the Grand Rapids Art Glass Company. The window, its makers state, "is of European antique glass, made in true European style with all portions of the glass painted." The Grand Rapids Art Glass Company began in 1912 and ended in 1994. Another company, possibly the forerunner, was called Grand Rapids Art Glass Works. It was created in consolidation of the Doring and A.M. Conney glass companies some time before 1892. An ad in the 1892 Grand Rapids Democrat publication shows the company was located on Bridge St. and called The Grand Rapids Art Glass Works, Ball Brothers. Estimates and designs were furnished and orders promptly filled. Grand Rapids artist Charles K. Owen designed and painted windows for many years for the Grand Rapids Art Glass Company. His work established the Grand Rapids Art Glass Company's reputation. Since he died in 1936 we have no way of knowing if he was involved in the design of this window. His work can be found in windows at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Saginaw, Douglas Catholic Church and First Methodist Church, Hastings.

British artist William Holman Hunt painted the original picture of The Light of the World between 1851-1853. It is an allegorical painting representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long unopened door illustrating Revelation 3:20. The door in the painting has no handle and can therefore only be openend from the inside, representing the obstinately shut mind.

Height: 18'

Width: 4'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Glass Paint, Lead Came, Silver Stain

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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.

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