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Our Lady of Grace, Dearborn Heights, Michigan

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MSGC : Collections : Window

Window

Building Name: Historic Trinity Lutheran Church

Studio Name: Willet Hauser Architectural Glass

City: Detroit

Window Shape: 6 (gothic arched, more than 2 vertical sections)

Date of Window: 1930

Subject/Title of Window: Bartholomew, Thomas, and Philip

Brief Description of Subject: From, "An Interpretation of the Stained Glass Windows in Trinity Lutheran Church, Detroit, Michigan. By their maker: Henry Lee Willet."

Clerestory No. 7  Bartholomew, Thomas, and Philip.
Bartholomew holds in his hands a cross to which is attached a shield with three flaying knives, symbolic of his being flayed alive, while on his robe is introduced the fig, another of his symbols. The predella shows in the small medallion-Bartholomew trying to reason out with himself whether he should follow Jesus, and the larger subject shows him asking Our Lord a number of questions before accepting the discipleship. The canopy subject shows Bartholomew at the miraculous draught of fishes.

Thomas has on his one side the spear, arrows, and stones of symbolic of his martyrdom, and the builder's square. The predella shows Thomas as the doubter placing his fingers in the wound print of Our Lord after the Resurrection, and in the canopy Thomas the staunch follower of Christ who was willing to go down with Him at the raising of Larazrus even at the expectation of losing his life. The shield shows a church and a trowel, as Thomas is reputed to have built a church with his own hands.

Philip holds in his hand a cross and on his robe is woven the loaves and fishes, symbolic of the prominent part he took in the miracle of feeding the five thousand. In the predella Philip is shown going to the aid of Eunuch, and the canopy shows the Greeks coming to Philip, their countryman, when they were seeking Jesus. The shield shows the basket containing the loaves and the fishes.

Bartholomew was also known as Nathanael and John 1:48 relates the story of the fig. The shield shows a scimitar.

Also seen in the shield of Philip is a Tau Cross symbolizing his martyrdom by crucifixion.

Starting in 1996 all of the Willet windows were sent back to their studio in Philadelphia for restoration. The restored windows were re-dedicated in 1998.


Condition of Window: Fair

Height: 12'

Width: 6'

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

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