Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Cathedral of St. Paul

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 3 (arched)

Subject/Title of Window: St. Stephen

Brief Description of Subject: Stephen, a figure representing steadfastness, determination and oneness of purpose, is the subject of the memorial window to the Cathedral Choir Boys who fell in the war. This window is directly above the Bishop's throne.

The central figure shows Stephen, entangled in the thorns of his uncompromising testimony as he carried out his charge as one of the seven deacons sent forth to do good works. At the sides are the Jews who stoned Stephen for rebuking their unbelief, while at the top of the lancet is indicated his vision - "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of god and Jesus standing on the right hand of God." (Acts 7:55)

At the bottom of the window are the emblems of the Services, and figures representing the men who laid down their lives for their friends in World War II. The inscription, "Greater love hath no man than this" (John 15:13) is Christ's assurance that the supreme sacrifice for any cause is loss of life through steadfast adherence to truth, and unerring devotion to duty.

The meaning of the window silently charges us to take such a stand as Stephen too - "And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice Lord lay not this sin to their charge," the theme of forgiveness constantly put forth in the New Testament teachings. "And when he said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:60)

This window was designed by Marguerite Gaudin.

Height: 7'

Width: 3'

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

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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