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

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Window

Building Name: Kirk in the Hills

Studio Name: Joseph G. Reynolds & Associates

City: Bloomfield Hills

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1958

Subject/Title of Window: Resurrection

Brief Description of Subject: Nineteen panels telling the Gospel story from Easter morning through Ascension.

From "Welcome to the Kirk."
The most impressive feature of the Narthex is the beatiful Resurrection window over the entrance. Brilliantly illuminating the items recorded in the Gospel story from Easter morning through the Ascension, this jewel-like window is approximately twelve feet wide and twenty-four feet high and consists of five vertical lancets with elaborate tracery openings above. It was designed and executed by Joseph G. Reynolds and Associates, Inc. of Boston. Formerly known as Reynolds, Francis & Rohnstock, this studio also created the Passion window at the opposite end of the church over the Chancel, four clerestory windows in the Nave as well as several other windows in the Bapistry and Melrose Chapel.

At the top of the four outer lancets, the artist has depicted the phoenix, symbol of the Resurrection; two seraphim; and the peacock, symbol of immortality. Cherubim are portrayed in the tracery at the top, surrounding a symbol of the Trinity. At the apex of the window is the six-pointed Star of David, symbolic of the coming of the Saviour from the house and lineage of DAvid. The star also symbolizes the words of Jesus (Rev. 22:16): "I am the root and offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."

This vivid window, through which the sun blazes at the close of worship, is resplendent with colors - red, yellow, blue, orange, green and violet - all tied together and harmonized by silvery white. The medallions in the central lancet have red backgrounds; and similar red backgrounds extend horizontally near the tops of all the lancets in contrast to the surrounding blue backgrounds of the other medallions, thus forming a cross.

The central panel vigourously portrays the triumphant Resurrected Christ within an oval-shaped medallion at the top. Beneath Him is the empty tomb, with figures of Roman soldiers in attitudes of drowsiness. The next medallion below shows the Sealing of the Tomb, and the bottom medallion depicts the Report of the Guards. The sixteen medallions in the outer four lancets should be viewed horizontally, beginning at the bottom of the far left lancet, as shown in the diagram. High above the window, a sharp-eyed visitor will discover representations in stone of the Eight Beatitudes.

1 - The Risen Christ;
2 - The Sealing of the tomb;
3 - The Report of the Guards;
4 - Christ on the Emmaus;
5 - Christ appears to Simon Peter;
6 - Christ appears to Thomas;
7 - Christ appears to Saul on the Damascus road;
8 - The supper at Emmaus;
9 - Chirst appears to Mary in the garden;
10 - John and Peter hurrying to the sepulchre;
11 - Christ appears to the Disciples;
12 - Christ appears to James;
13 - The three Marys on the way to the tomb;
14 - Mary Magdalene announces that Christ is Risen;
15 - The Miraculous Draught of Fishes;
16 - Jesus appears to the three women;
17 - The angel in the empty tomb;
18 - Peter enters the sepulchre and sees the linen clothes;
19 - John's vision of Christ on Patmos.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 24'

Width: 12'

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

The Resurrection
The Resurrection
The Resurrection, top
The Resurrection, top
The Resurrection, left
The Resurrection, left
The Resurrection, right
The Resurrection, right
Window key
Window key

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