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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church

Studio Name: Vanderburgh Art Studio

City: Kalamazoo

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Subject/Title of Window: Rock of Ages

Brief Description of Subject: From a booklet, "Southern Heights Christian Reformed Church," July 1981.

Stained glass windows are not meant as decoration; they are designed to present a message and thus enhance our worship experience.

For all the main floor windows, five panes in height, there is a common and uniform pattern. Each window is a mirror of its neighbor (except for the specific symbol) with the size, shape, color, and tone of the pieces of stained glass making up the windows. A curve extends through each window in the middle pane to the pane below it. The distinct impression is given of the curve continuing from window to window. Thus, although each window is different in its symbol, there is a commonality, unifromity, and consistency from one to the other. This informs us that although there are different aspects of the message of Christianity, it all weaves together in one unified whole -- God's covenant of grace with mankind, fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The sixteen stained glass windows in the sanctuary proper, starting in the southeasterly corner at the rear, going forward to the pulpit area, then from front to rear on the northerly wall, summarize the message of the Bible, following the theme of Creation-Fall-Redemption. As we look at these designs, we marvel at God's great plan of history. The two windows in the balcony remind us of the mission challenge of the church. As we leave, let us dedicate ourselves to becoming God's witnesses. The four corner windows outside the sanctuary represent four different songs of the church. Singing has always been an important part of Christian worship, for songs not only enable us to praise our God, but also point us to Jesus, both to what he has done and what he has in store for us.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation." Psalm 62:5-6a

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin and double cure:
Save from guilt and make me pure.
Psalter Hymnal #388


Height: 67.5"

Width: 36"

Type of Glass and Technique: Antique or Cathedral Glass, 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