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

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Window

Building Name: Westminster Presbyterian Church

City: Grand Rapids

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

Subject/Title of Window: The Resurrection Window

Brief Description of Subject: (west side of sanctuary)
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

This large window was given in memory of Laetitia Catherine Oden Hughart (1804-1844) and Sidney Ormsby Page (1806-1880) by the William Oden Hughart Sr. family. Mr. William Oden Hughart Sr. (1826-1899) was president of the Grand Rapids and Indiana R.R. which ran from Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Mackinaw City and whose railroad was one of the builders of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. He became a member of Westminster in 1876 and served as a ruling elder for 21 years until his death in 1899. He and his family were generous supporters of Westminster. He was also on the building committee that hired the architect D.S. Hopkins to design the chapel and sanctuary building in 1876. William was married on March 25, 1852 to Sarah Mahon Ormsby Page. Laetitia was William's mother and Sidney was Sarah's mother. William's father was James Hughart of Paris, KY and Sarah's father was James Harding Page (1804-1871). The window contains symbols that represent the resurrection. Information is not available on who designed and installed the window nor the year this was done but it is believed to be one of the first windows installed sometime in the late 1880s. It could have been designed and installed by The Grand Rapids Art Glass Works which was formed sometime before 1892.

SYMBOLS
Two Middle Panels-There are twelve brown pomegranates that represent royalty and in the Biblical interpretation, the Christ. The panels also contain flowers with three petals representing the Trinity. The leaves throughout the panels are oak and represent again the Christ, a symbol of endurance especially in the face of adversity.

Outer Panels-both depict the pomegranate again only this time in the opening phase with the seeds ready to burst through, this symbol represents the resurrection, the empty tomb. Between the pomegranates are symbols of the Trinity and what appears to be a crown, once again royalty, the Christ.

Top of Window Arch-The cross is represented in multiple flower petals and shapes. Throughout the panels a vine twists and turns, a vivid symbol once again of the Christ.

Inscriptions: Laetitia Catherine Oden Hughart
Sidney Ormsby Page


Height: 24'

Width: 12'

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

The Resurrection Window
The Resurrection Window

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