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: Temptation of Jesus/Lord in Prayer at Gethsemane/Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem

Brief Description of Subject: This window was designed for this parish's Gothic styled Church which opened in 1926. Subsequently the congregation needed a larger church and replaced it with a modern styled church which opened in 1957, moving the stained glass to the new Church.

This is the ninth in a series of ten windows, consisting of three scenes each, covering the life of Christ, and were placed in chronological order in the narthex. All of the borders on the scenes feature geometrical patterns alternating with small scenes that is some cases relate to the larger scene they border.

Top Scene: This window was designed for the top scene to be the "Crucifixion," however, in the process of assembling this window after a restoration, it was mistakenly replaced with the scene "Temptation of Jesus." The design of this scene is based on Luke's version found in Luke 4:1 -13. After Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days, the devil comes to tempt him. Two of the temptations are pictured in this scene. The first, the devil offers to give Jesus the authority and splendor over all the kingdoms of the world if you would just worship him. This is symbolized by the devil's hand offering a crown which is placed on a ceremonial cushion. The second, the devil challenges Jesus to prove he is the Son of God by jumping from the highest point of the Temple of Jerusalem, if he is the Son of God according to Scriptures [Psalm 91:12 -13], angels would catch him so that not a foot would strike the stone. This is pictured by Jesus perched on the top of the temple looking down upon the the city of Jerusalem.

According to Church records, this scene was given in memory of Ada V. Barmby by her son, Mr. Harold K. Barmby and dedicated on July 4, 1943.

Middle Scene: Lord in Prayer at Gethsemane. This story is found in all of the synoptic Gospels. The design of this scene is based on a composite of them. After the Last Supper, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Once there, he told them to stay here and watch, while he went a short distance away to pray. Jesus fell to the ground and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done, ... An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him ... When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep," Luke 22:42 - 45 NIV.

Bottom Scene: Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem. Design of this scene is based on John 12:12 -14 --- "The great crowd that had come for the Feast [Passover], heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna! ... Blessed is the King of Israel!' Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written [Zechariah 9:9], 'Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see your King is coming, seated on a donkey colt," NIV.

According to Church records, this window was given in memory of Madeleine Dumble Watt by her husband, Mr James M. Watt and dedicated October 3, 1943.

Inscriptions: To the glory of God and in loving memory of Madeline Dumble Watt


Condition of Window: Good

Height: 78"

Width: 16.25"

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

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