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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: St. James Episcopal Church

Studio Name: Lamb (J. and R.) Co.

City: Birmingham

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Subject/Title of Window: One Was a Soldier - George Washington

Brief Description of Subject: This aisle window is located in the Children's Chapel. All windows in the Chapel were designed to relate to children and provide a learning experience for them.
 
This is the first of three windows that together complete a couplet from the children's song "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God," composed by Lesbia Scott. The inscription "One Was a Soldier" is the first part of the first verse of the couplet in the second stanza of that song. The Church selected George Washington as an example of a saintly soldier.
 
George Washington (1732 - 1799) was the Commander-in-Chief of the Army in the U.S. War of Independence. There is a legend that while his troops were at Valley Forge, witnesses saw him kneeling in prayer. He is pictured here at Valley Forge in a military uniform, kneeling on the grass of a glade in the woods, praying for his country. Behind him is an oak tree, the symbol of strength. Peeking out from behind the tree is a horse. Washington was considered one of the best equestrians of his age. During the War he used two horses, one named "Blueskin" and the other "Nelson." In the artworld Blueskin is most often used as he is a white horse.
 
Another legend is referenced at the bottom right of the predella with a cherry tree and an ax. A six year old George Washington was given an ax by his father. His father was irate when he saw chop marks on one of his cherry trees, and confronted his son, questioning him if he was responsible for this. George responded, "I can not tell a lie, I did this." Rather than being mad, the father celebrated, saying, "an honest son is worth more than a thousand trees."
 
In the 1789 election, George Washington was elected the first president of the newly formed United States of America. His presidency is symbolized with the Seal of the President of the United States which appears on the left in the predella. At the top of the predella is the picture of the type of musket used in the War of Independence. George Washington was a member of the Brotherhood of Masons which believes in the importance of family, country, and God. The most popular icon for the Brotherhood is seen in the center of the predella --- a builder's square and compass with a "G" in the middle. Another masonic symbol , a sheaf of corn, is seen under the kneeling George Washington. It is a symbol of charity that comes from Deuteronomy 24:19, "When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back and get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands."
 
The maker's signature is seen at the bottom right of the window as "The Lamb Studios."

Inscriptions: One Was A Soldier
George Washington


Condition of Window: Excellent

Height: 5'

Width: 39"

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass

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