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

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Window

Building Name: St. Paul's Presbyterian Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Livonia

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1965

Subject/Title of Window: Figures of the Early Church

Brief Description of Subject: Originally the west nave wall was designed for a two panel window, however after about 40 years, the entire wall was replaced with clear glass to let more light into the Church. No longer constrained by the original architecture, the two panels of each of the original windows were separated and reinstalled singularly, evenly spaced out across the west wall. The lower section of each of the windows was vented, on re-installation these lower sections were sealed.

This west nave window depicts three figures from the early Church.

Upper: Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226). Born in Assisi to a cloth merchant, he renounced his inheritance and gave himself to God. He founded the "Friars Minor" which became the "Franciscan Order." He is pictured tonsured and costumed as a Franciscan monk. His cincture has three knots symbolizing the three vows Franciscans take --- poverty, chastity, and obedience. The bird and the lamb are two of his attributes. The bird --- from the legend he once gave a sermon to a flock of birds that did not fly away until he finished the sermon.The lamb --- he loved all of God's creatures; it is said animals followed him where ever he went, especially a lamb.

Middle: Athanasius the Great (298 - 373). Born in Alexandria, he became its bishop in 326. He is known for his copious writings, his teaching and his staunch defense of the triune nature of God against the Arian teaching that Jesus did not always exist but was begotten by God the father. He is depicted here as a teacher with two of his attributes --- the light filled triangle symbolizing the Trinity, and the scroll symbolizing his writings.

Lower: Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430). Born near Hippo in North Africa, he was a convert to Christianity and went on to become the Bishop of Hippo. He wrote many important works --- City of God, On Christian Doctrine, on the Trinity, and Confessions. He also wrote what is known as the "Rule of St. Augustine" on conduct for monastic orders. Francis is costumed in episcopal vestments with miter and crosier. The book he is holding symbolizes his writings.

Designed by Eric Sundean, the window is signed at the bottom by the maker.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 88"

Width: 24"

Type of Glass and Technique: Opalescent Glass, Lead Came

Figures of the Early Church
Figures of the Early Church
Francis of Assisi
Francis of Assisi
Athanasius the Great
Athanasius the Great
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo
Willet studio signature
Willet studio signature
Figures of the Early Church Willet sketch
Figures of the Early Church Willet sketch

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