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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: 1942

Subject/Title of Window: St. Nathanael aka St. Bartholomew

Brief Description of Subject: This window was designed for this parish's Gothic Church which opened in 1926. Subsequently the Church needed a larger Church and replaced this Church with a modern Church and moved the stained glass to the new Church. This window is now located on the second level of the façade, which features the Apostles.

This window is the St. Nathanael window and is bordered with geometric patterns as well as pictures of animals, boats, angels and buildings.

The top level depicts an angel holding a shield with three flaying knives --- attribute stems from legend that he was skinned alive.

Nathanael is depicted holding a book in his left hand --- symbolizing he preached the Word of God, notably the Gospel of Matthew. In his left hand appears to be a sword --- the "Golden Legend" had accounts where he first was flayed and then beheaded. Above his head is a scene with the inscription "We have found him." This comes from John 1:45. Jesus had found Philip and called him to be a follower. Philip then went to Nathanael "and said to him, 'We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.' " (RSV)

The inscriptions at the bottom of the window are not visible. Below the figure would be "St. Nathanael." Below this, would have indicated the window was given in memory of George Barker. Church records indicates this was a gift of his wife, Mrs. George Baker, and children: Eva, Walter, Harvey, Eric, Jean, and Donald. The window was dedicated October 18, 1942.

Inscriptions: Philip
We have found him
Nathanael


Condition of Window: Good

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

St. Nathanael
St. Nathanael
St. Nathanael top
St. Nathanael top
St. Nathanael bottom
St. Nathanael bottom

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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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