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: Lamb (J. and R.) Co.

City: Detroit

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

Date of Window: 1953

Subject/Title of Window: The Marriage Feast at Cana

Brief Description of Subject: The grisaille glass in the upper part of the window is original to the window, and at one time, extended to the bottom. In their book "Detroit's Historic Places of Worship," Collum, Krueger, and Kostuch, thought the maker was Friederichs and Staffin (Detroit Stained Glass Works). In the canopy, the roundel features a lamb with a shepherd's crook, the "Agnus Dei" symbol.

The original grisaille glass in the lower portion of this window was replaced in 1953 by a scene from the Marriage Feast of Cana covered in John 2: 1 - 21.

Scene description from "A guide to St. John's Episcopal Church" by Charles E. Griner:

"Here is portrayed the first public miracle by Jesus. At his mother's behest, He changed the water into wine to save the young newlyweds embarrassment before their guests. The artist depicts Jesus being watched by the wedding guests through the open window as the servant, kneeling before Mary, pours water from one vessel into another and it becomes wine."

Grapes are seen in the scriptural text panel, appropriate for a scene where water is changed into wine. At the top of the left panel is a chalice and host, symbol of the Eucharist. At the top of the right panel is a censer with smoke rising upwards, symbol for prayers offered to God "Let my prayers be set forth before thee as incense" Psalm 141:2 KJV. Stylized grape leaves are seen in the predella.

The window was donated by William C. Rands Jr. as a gift to his parents.

Inscriptions: There was a Marriage in Cana of Galilee {John 2: 21 KJV}
In Memoriam
*1872 William Charles Rands †1952
*1874 Rose Allor Rands †1952


Condition of Window: good

Height: ~18'

Width: 4'

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