Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church

Studio Name: Vanderburgh Art Studio

City: Holland

Window Shape: 4 (rounded or rose window)

Date of Window: 1953

Subject/Title of Window: Rose Window

Brief Description of Subject: Rose window with a Greek Cross in the center.

Round design symbolic of the fact that God is eternal, without beginning or end. Twelve sections depict the twelve apostles whose work it was to spread the gospel.

The basic construction of this window is a circle which carries the symbolic reminder of God, eternal, without beginning or ending. The continuous circle conveys completeness and the eternal nature of each person on the Godhead.

Central to the design is the Greek cross. Very prominent in the red center which gives emphasis to the sacrificial blood of Christ as the nucleus of the plan of salvation.

The cross is yellow/orange to identify the role of the Holy Spirit giving power and influence to sending of the gospel. Four arms of the cross symbolize that this salvation is to be spread to the four corners of the world.

Within the circle frame, twelve sections are incorporated signifying the twelve apostles whose task it was to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. The design in each section is a variation of the fleur-de-lis which medieval scholars refer to a s representative of the Trinity; that is, three parts to the design - three persons yet all connected.

Almost hidden in the window is another symbol of the Trinity. Notice the blue points of color at the apex of the circle, down on the left and aslo to the right there are blue points. Drawing an imaginary line to these three points; the window would be sectioned by an equilangular triangle, a symbol of the three persons of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

This window is positioned in front of the sanctuary, along with the Word of God, a reminder that the focus of worship should be praise to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Color symbolism of the Sanctuary Windows:
GREEN - Eternal, everlasting hope - the color of life.
BLUE - Heaven, Jehovah, interpreted as symbolizing the everlasting love of God.
PURPLE - Regal color of royal origin - majesty of God.
VIOLET - Lighter shade of purple, still denotes royalty but symbolizes humility and penitence. Usage is most often at the Lenten and Advent seasons of the church year.
RED - Depicts the sacrificial shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ. Combined with yellow/orange to reference the divine zeal of the Holy Spirt; i.e., tongues of fire on Pentecost Day.
YELLOW/ORANGE - Light, zeal - relates to the Word of God, light and lamp to a Christian's path.
WHITE - Symbol of the Creator, Lamb of God, purity, perfection, innocence, joy.
BROWN - Representative of mankind, struggle, formed from the dust of the earth. Refers also to the human nature of Christ the Son.
BLACK - Darkness of Hell, sin, sorrow, grief, hopelessness.


Condition of Window: Excellent

Height: 6'

Width: 6'

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

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.

If you have any questions, additions or corrections, or think you can provide better images and are willing to share them, please contact donald20@msu.edu