Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

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: Early American Presbyterian Ministers

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

This west nave window depicts three important Presbyterian ministers in the American colonies.

Upper: William Tennent Jr. (1705 - 1777). Born in Ireland of Scottish parents, his father, William Tennent Sr., was a Presbyterian minister in Northern Ireland. In 1718 Tennent Sr. moved the family to the Colonies and seeing a need for Presbyterian ministers, established a seminary in a log cabin, pejoratively called "Log Cabin College." William Tennent Jr., shortly after graduating from the Log Cabin College, was studying for the exam to become a minister when he went into what is called his "celebrated trance." He became unconscious and was thought to be dead but revived and began his recovery. It became clear when his sister read a passage from the Bible that he had lost his memory. He later fully recovered his memory and became a minister. He is known for his preaching, pastorship of what is now named the "Old Tennent Church" in Manalapan N.J., and one of the first trustees of the "College of New Jersey" (Princeton University). This scene shows William Tennent Jr. costumed as a preacher, Bible in hand. In the background is seen the Log Cabin College and his sister by his bedside as he is recovering from the "celebrated trance."

Middle: John Witherspoon (1723 - 1794). Born in Scotland, he became a Presbyterian minister and wrote works on theology. In 1768, he accepted an offer to become president of the Presbyterian College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. When the Crown began to exert authority over the Church, he became a supporter for Independence and signed the Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. He is pictured here signing the Declaration of Independence.

Lower: Francis Mackemie (1658 - 1708). Born in Ireland, he became a Presbyterian minister in 1681. He was sent to the Colonies in 1683 as a missionary. He traveled extensively throughout the Colonies, establishing many Churches. He is considered to be the "Founder of American Presbyterianism." Francis Makemie is pictured on horseback, signifying his travels to found Presbyterian churches.

The window was designed by Eric Sundean and signed by the maker at the bottom.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 88"

Width: 24"

Type of Glass and Technique: Opalescent Glass, Lead Came

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