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: St. Thomas

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 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. Thomas window and is bordered with geometric patterns as well as pictures of animals, boats, angels, and buildings, also in the border, to the right of St. Thomas' hand, are the words, "Blessed are they that believe."

The top level depicts an angel holding a shield with a cincture and three stones -- attributes of Thomas. The stones stem from the legend that idol worshiping men tried to stone Thomas to death, but their hands became paralyzed. Thomas then prayed for them and their hands were healed and they converted to Christianity. The cincture has its origin in the popular Medieval legend that Thomas was absent when the Apostles saw the Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Thomas doubted that it had occurred but when he looked up he saw the Virgin Mary in the clouds and she dropped her cincture to Thomas, and he now believed. This legendary cincture, caught by Thomas, is now housed at the Prato Cathedral in Tuscany.

Below this is Thomas holding what looks like a walking stick in the form of a Tau cross. This would symbolize his work as a missionary. Above his head is a scene with the inscription, "My Lord and my God," which is found in the story of the "Doubting Thomas." The risen Christ has appeared to the Apostles when Thomas was not present. He refused to believe that Jesus was alive unless he sees the nail marks and puts his finger into his side. A week later, Christ again appears to the Apostles, this time with Thomas present. "Then he [Jesus} said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put your hand and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing.' Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' " (John 20:27 - 28 RSV)

At the bottom is the inscription indicating the window was given in memory of James Walter Kilmer. Church records show the donor as his wife, Mrs. James W. Kilmer, and his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Kilmer, as well as the window being dedicated September 19, 1943.

Inscriptions: My Lord and My God
St. Thomas
In loving memory
James Walter Kilmer
To the Glory of God


Condition of Window: Good

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

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