About
Featured Windows
How to Register Windows
Registered Stained Glass
Resources
Support the MSGC
Sponsors
Search
Window
Building Name: First United Methodist ChurchStudio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass
City: Birmingham
Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, over 2 vertical sections)
Date of Window: 1956
Subject/Title of Window: The Invitation Window
Brief Description of Subject: The following description from the book, "The Windows and Symbols of First Methodist Church Birmingham, Mich. edited by Dr. Arnold F. Runkel and privately published by the Church for its members in 1966.
THE INVITATION WINDOW
It was the Committee's wish that we have the image of Christ on the cross as the focal point of worship above the altar. But it was preferred not to have the agonizing Christ form, the artist superimposed Christ upon the hidden cross --- discernable in the green outline evidenced above the head of the Saviour, at His feet, and also extending into the right and left lancets.
The three lancet chancel window depicts the great basis of our religion, salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The central lancet portrays the figure of the compassionate Saviour, superimposed on the hidden cross extending through the three lancets. His arms are outstretched in an attitude of love and pity as he says to suffering mankind, 'Come unto me ... and I will give you rest.'
The medallion in the left lancet depicts the Nativity: Joseph and Mary bending over the manger in which the Babe is lying, the ox and ass peering from their stalls, and a lamb looking up from below at the unaccustomed sight. The Star of Bethlehem sheds its rays over the scene, and three of the shepherds who followed its light are shown kneeling in adoration.
The medallion in the right lancet portrays the scene on the first Easter morning. The three Mary's, having come to annoint the body of Jesus, confront the empty tomb and are told, by an angel, of the glorious news, 'He is risen.'
The symbols at the lancet tops indicate the Trinity: Father (Hand of God), Son (the Agnus Dei) and Holy Spirit (descending Dove). The sacraments of the Church are symbolized at the bottom of the center lancet; the scallop shell for Baptism, the chalice for Communion. The vine and grape pattern throughout the borders also represent the Sacraments of Communion.
The Invitation Window was presented in memory of Irma A. Dixon by her husband Clifford, and son, James.
It was the Committee's wish that we have the image of Christ on the cross as the focal point of worship above the altar. But it was preferred not to have the agonizing Christ form, the artist superimposed Christ upon the hidden cross --- discernable in the green outline evidenced above the head of the Saviour, at His feet, and also extending into the right and left lancets.
The three lancet chancel window depicts the great basis of our religion, salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The central lancet portrays the figure of the compassionate Saviour, superimposed on the hidden cross extending through the three lancets. His arms are outstretched in an attitude of love and pity as he says to suffering mankind, 'Come unto me ... and I will give you rest.'
The medallion in the left lancet depicts the Nativity: Joseph and Mary bending over the manger in which the Babe is lying, the ox and ass peering from their stalls, and a lamb looking up from below at the unaccustomed sight. The Star of Bethlehem sheds its rays over the scene, and three of the shepherds who followed its light are shown kneeling in adoration.
The medallion in the right lancet portrays the scene on the first Easter morning. The three Mary's, having come to annoint the body of Jesus, confront the empty tomb and are told, by an angel, of the glorious news, 'He is risen.'
The symbols at the lancet tops indicate the Trinity: Father (Hand of God), Son (the Agnus Dei) and Holy Spirit (descending Dove). The sacraments of the Church are symbolized at the bottom of the center lancet; the scallop shell for Baptism, the chalice for Communion. The vine and grape pattern throughout the borders also represent the Sacraments of Communion.
The Invitation Window was presented in memory of Irma A. Dixon by her husband Clifford, and son, James.
Inscriptions: Come Unto Me And I Will Give You Rest
Height: ~12'
Width: 9'
The Invitation Window
The Compassionate Savior
The Nativity
The Three Marys
The Invitation Window outside
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
