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Window of the Month
Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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Window

Building Name: First United Methodist Church of Dearborn

City: Dearborn

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

Subject/Title of Window: James the Major and Simon Peter

Brief Description of Subject: James the Major
James the “major” sanctuary south wall-third window from lectern left panel
James was the cousin of Jesus, was the first to suffer martyrdom and is the only Apostle whose death is described in the New Testament. (Acts 12 1-3). He was a member of the inner three, usually named second. His work usually centered in Jerusalem. Legend claims he was martyred there. James was the patron saint of pilgrims. The pilgrim (the fork headed stick) has become his symbol. Legend claims he traveled to Spain as a missionary, founding a church in Santiago. Another legend claims that his body was taken out of Spain after his death.  The scallop shell, the dish pilgrims use, and with its marine association, has become the symbol of baptism.  The sword represents the method of James death. He was a fisherman with his father Zebee and his brother, John, Andrew, and Peter. James was the most silent of the inner three. Jesus called James and his brother John ‘the Swords of Thunder’. In the fifth decade A.D. Herod Agrippa executed James with a sword. James forgave the informer who caused his arrest and baptized him in the Christian faith. As James died, he said to his man, Peace be unto friends placed James body in a ship with neither sail nor rudder (the vessel covered with scallop shells) and it carried its burden to Spain.
 
Simon Peter
This Apostle bears four names: Simon, Peter (Petros)=pebble, Cephas=rock and Simon Peter. Simon blew hot and cold .He walked on water and defended Jesus with a sword in Gethsemane. He asked to remain on the Mount of Transfiguration. Yet he denied knowing Jesus as the latter was on trial. “I’m going fishing” was his reaction to the crucifixion. Mark, author of the Second Gospel was Peter’s interpreter in Rome after Jesus’s death. Mark recorded all the eyewitness accounts he heard from Peter’s lips. Peter was a fisherman whose home was in Capernaum. He is always named first in listing the Apostles. He baptized the first gentile, Cornelius, into Christianity. Peter served as a missionary to Damascus and Asia. He was executed during the Neronian persecutions in Rome (64-67 A.D.) At his own request, he was crucified head downward. He did not feel worthy to die in the same position as the lord died. Peter is represented with the keys, symbolizing Christ’s promise following the Great Confession “Thou are Christ. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom” Matthew 16:19. Roman Catholics believe this rock upon which the church was built was the person of Peter- the first pope. Protestants believe the rock was peters confession, Thou art the Christ”. Christ’s Messiah- The Lord- is the Church’s cornerstone.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 17'

Width: 6.5'

Type of Glass and Technique: Lead Came

The Apostle James and Simon Peter
The Apostle James and Simon Peter

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