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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: St. James the Greater and St. Andrew

Brief Description of Subject: The panels for this window were designed for this parish's Gothic styled church which opened in 1926. Subsequently the Church needed a larger church and replaced this Church with a modern styled church which opened in 1957. They moved the stained glass windows to the new Church. This window is now located on the second level of the facade which features the Apostles.

This is the "St. James the Greater and St. Andrew Window." In the previous Church these were separate windows but have now been combined. Each panel is bordered with geometric patterns as well as pictures of animals, boats, angels, buildings, et alia.

St. James the Greater Panel: The top level depicts an angel holding a shield with three scallop shells. No one knows for certain how the shells became his attribute. One of the many explanations stems from the legend that when his body was being transported to Galicia (now part of Spain), his body fell into the water and when it came to the surface it was covered with scallop shells. His tomb, since 1211, is found in the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela, which has become a major pilgrimage site. Pilgrims to that site pin a scallop shell to their clothing as a sign they have made the pilgrimage.

Below this, is the figure of James holding a pilgrim's staff and a medieval illustrated manuscript (Bible). The pilgrim's staff references his tomb as a pilgrimage destination. The book marks him as a missionary, preaching the Gospel. The book has the words, ""Henry G. Matthews painted this window in the year 1942. War was at its highest pitch and still we" the rest is hidden. The scene above the figure of James depicts him in a pilgrim's hat posed as a preacher, an interested person kneeling, while two men with backs turned appear to be leaving. The inscription in the background reads "Spain." Tradition has James evangelizing in Galicia (Spain). He was downhearted that his preaching resulted in few converts. Then the Virgin Mary appeared to him and told him not to worry, his preaching would bear fruit with many Christians in this place for all time. Possibly the scene is illustrating his initial meager results in Galicia.

Below the inscription "St. James" would have been a memorial inscription, but it has been removed so that the window would fit into its new location. Church records show this panel was given in memory of Benjamin J. F. Webber and Florence A. Webber as a gift from their sons and dedicated January 10, 1943.

St. Andrew Panel: The top level depicts an angel holding a shield with two small fish and five barley loaves. The fish usually reference his profession as a fisherman, but with the barley loaves, they refer to Andrew's speaking part in "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand." Jesus had asked, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat." Andrew responded, " ' Here is a boy with FIVE BARLEY LOAVES and TWO SMALL FISH, but how far will they go among so many.' " John 6:9 NIV

Below this, is the figure of Andrew with ropes binding his feet and arms --- symbolizing his being tied to a cross and crucified. Above his figure, is a scene with the inscription, "Follow Me," which is found in "The Calling of the First Apostles," Matthew 4: 18 - 20 ---- "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. 'Come, FOLLOW ME,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men'. At once they left their nets and followed. (NIV)

Below the inscription "St. Andrew," would have been a memorial inscription, but it has been removed so that the window will fit into its new location. Church records show this panel was given in memory of Henry C. Bauckham as a gift from his friends in St. John's and business associates of Albert Kahn, Inc. and dedicated on October 4, 1942.

Inscriptions: St. James
Follow Me
St. Andrew


Condition of Window: Good

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

The MSGC is a constantly evolving database. Not all the data that has been collected by volunteers has been sorted and entered. Not every building has been completely documented.

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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