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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Cathedral of St. Paul

Studio Name: Connick (Charles J.), Ltd.

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 5 (gothic arched, 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1920

Subject/Title of Window: The Church Triumphant

Brief Description of Subject: This is the fourth of four north side nave windows based on "Revelation." It is signed "Charles J. Connick Dec 1920" in the right lancet between the scene and the Memorial.

This description of the window is by Charles Connick, the window's designer. The inscriptions that appear on the window have been capitalized. All are from the Book of Revelation as written in the King James Bible.

The Edwards Memorial window has been designed to honor in this enduring and beautiful form the devotion, courage, and supreme sacrifice of First Lieutenant Frederick Trevenen Edwards. The entire inscription is as follows:

"In memory of First Lieutenant Frederick Trevenen Edwards, Adjutant 18th Field Artillery, U.S.A. Born in Cambridge, Mass. July 11, 1892. Mortally wounded in action at Montfaucon, France, October 5, 1918. Died at Fleury-sur-Aire, France, October 6 1918." (The Field Artillery Standard, U.S.A, Is reproduced at the right.)

The subject, chosen from the twenty-first chapter of the Book of Revelation, recalls in poetic symbolism the close relationship of the church to men, and its vivid inspiration for a life of devotion, courage and service.

The distinguishing figure is "the Bride, the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven clothed as a Bride, adorned for her husband."

At her feet are three doves, symbols of Faith, Hope, and Love, the supreme gifts of Christ to His Church; while conventionalized clouds and two angels by her head signify her descent from Heaven.

In the right lancet are the figures of St. John Evangelist, observant and meditative, and the angel with the reed and the cup.

Running through these lancets are the following inscriptions: "BEHOLD THE TABERNACLE OF GOD IS WITH MEN, AND HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM, AND THEY SHALL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF SHALL BE WITH THEM, AND BE THEIR GOD." "AND I JOHN SAW THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, COMING DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, PREPARED AS A BRIDE ADORNED FOR HER HUSBAND."

Near the figure of St. John occurs a small figure of Our Lord in Glory and the words, HE THAT SAT UPON THE THRONE SAID, BEHOLD, I SHALL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW. AND HE SAID UNTO ME, WRITE FOR THESE WORDS ARE TRUE AND FAITHFUL."

In the base of the left lancet are figures suggesting a father and daughter, hopeful through sorrow and the words "AND GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES; AND THEIR SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH."

In the right lancet base is the figure of an armed knight with uplifted face, in an attitude of devotion and self-surrender, with the words: "HE THAT OVERCOMETH SHALL INHERIT ALL THINGS; AND I WILL BE HIS GOD, AND HE SHALL BE MY SON."

In the upper parts of both lancets is a suggestion of the "Holy City" glowing in whites and color, while the surmounting tracery piece contains the "Lamb of God," which symbolizes the supreme inspiration of the spirit of the design.

Other significant symbols are flames of courage, the eagle for St. John, and for spiritual aspiration, the white rose for purity, the fleur-de-lis for France, and crossed cannon for the Artillery Service, U.S.A.

Height: 20'

Width: 6'

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, Lead Came, Vitreous Paint, Silver Stain

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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