Featured Window

Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Blessed Trinity Catholic Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Frankenmuth

Window Shape: 2 (rectangle)

Date of Window: 1975

Subject/Title of Window: The Seven Sacraments

Brief Description of Subject: The faceted glass windows not only give color and warmth to the space, but depict some of the basic teachings of the Catholic Faith. The chapel window in a decorative vine shape contains symbols of the seven Sacraments. The vine recalls that Jesus said “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” Therefore it is appropriate for the vine to encircle the Sacraments which are the outward expressions of Christians’ devotion to God. At the top is the chalice and host of the Holy Eucharist. Around it is a halo with a tri-radiant nimbus such as encircles the head of Christ showing that the bread and wine are His flesh and blood. Next below is the escallop shell of Baptism from which descend three drops of water for Baptism is in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Superimposed on the shell is the descending dove. Its appearance at Jesus’ baptism gave rise to its use to symbolize the Holy Spirit. The symbol for Marriage is two candles and two encircled rings under a cross, showing two people joined into one family under the protection of Christ. Holy Orders are symbolized by a stole and alb. The Penance symbol is a scourge. At the bottom right Confirmation is shown by the Holy Spirit dove, a candle for the confirm and flanked by the bishops’ crozier and mitre. Extreme unction is represented by the oil stock and two candles used in the ceremony and an hour glass with the sand running out to indicate the soul of departed. Faceted glass is a technique which harmonizes well with contemporary styles of architecture. Brilliantly colored glass, usually an inch in thickness, but up to two or more inches for special effects, is cut to the desired size. The inner surface of certain pieces is then chipped or faceted conchoidally to enhance the design and add a jewel-like quality. The matrix of epoxy is poured around the carefully arranged pieces and holds them in place to form a structural unit of great strength. It is the thickness of the glass which assures the breathtaking radiance and complete purity of color which are the outstanding characteristics of the medium. The window is lit from behind by a light box.

Condition of Window: Good

Height: 8' 8"

Width: 24"

Type of Glass and Technique: Slab or Faceted Glass (Dalle de Verre)

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