Stained Glass
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Stained Glass Windows
Stained glass windows began to be used in churches during the 1100's, when the new Gothic style of church architecture enabled large glass windows in the walls. The windows were intended not only to admit light and add beauty, but the biblical scenes depicted were intended for the religious instruction of the people
Stained glass is produced by painting with colored pigments that are then fused to the glass by firing. The resulting image is as permanent as the glass itself. The staining permits detailed painting of religious scenes. Stained glass windows also contain many pieces of ordinary colored glass, the color being within the glass itself, that serve to fill out the scene or provide a background.
The many glass pieces forming a window are fitted together using grooved lead bars, to assemble the design. These leaded sections are supported by larger iron bars and frames.
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Church Vestibule
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As you enter the church, there is a window on the right, in the stairway to the choir loft (left side of the image). This is a depiction of an angel holding a harp. It is an inspiration to our musicians and choir members who tread these stairs and produce our beautiful church music.
On the left side of the original vestibule, now blocked from view by the added Reconciliation Room (right side of the image), is a similar window showing an angel holding an infant (and available for viewing when the room is not in use). This was an appropriate background for the baptismal font, which was located at this end of the vestibule from 1941 to 1995.
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Church Sanctuary
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The first stained glass windows were installed in our church in the 1890's. During a major church renovation in 1941, it was decided to replace them almost entirely, leaving only a small curved section in the arched top of each window.
This original section depicts a Celtic cross, the traditional cross of the Irish workers at the nearby DuPont black powder mills. This Celtic cross is reproduced in stone in the church front courtyard "In tribute to the Irish powdermen who built this church."
The sanctuary windows each have a central painted scheme, taken mostly from the New Testament. Under each scene is the title, which is used in the descriptions listed on this page.
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As you study the windows you will note other interesting details. Each window has symbols on the top and bottom ventilator panels. Some of these are easy to identify, such as loaves and fishes, or a descending dove.
Our previous Pastor, Msgr. Rebman, recognized others, from a Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Litany of Loretto.
Use the < and > slider controls when you hover over the image to view all 40 of the ventilator window panels.
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A symbol that occurs throughout the windows, in the panels, and at the top and bottom of each main scene is a fleur-de-lis, or lily flower.
The lily is often associated with St. Joseph. He is shown holding a lily in the statue in the church, and also in the statue of Joseph and the young Jesus in the entrance foyer of the Family Center.
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Window Scenes
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"He Cast Them Out"
An angel with flaming sword is driving Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
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"Mary's Heart is Pure"
Mary's mother, St. Ann, is teaching a youthful Virgin Mary.
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"S. Maria and S. Joseph"
The marriage of Mary to Joseph, officiated by a Temple priest.
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"Hail, Full of Grace"
The Annunciation. The Angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus.
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"Blessed Art Thou"
Mary is greeted by her cousin Elizabeth, who will become the mother of John the Baptist.
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"Glory to God on High"
The scene of the birth of Jesus in the stable is depicted, using the words of the heavenly chorus that greeted the shepherds.
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"Light to Enlighten the Gentiles"
The infant Jesus is presented to a priest at the Temple. Joseph holds a dove in a cage as an offering.
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"Rise and Fly into Egypt"
After being warned of Herod's intent to slaughter Jewish babies, the Holy Family escapes to Egypt.
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"All Were Astonished"
Jesus, holding the Torah, the Jewish scriptures, is seen teaching the priests and elders, with Joseph and Mary looking on in amazement from the background.
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"He Was Subject to Them"
Joseph is using a carpenter's plane to shape wood in his shop in Nazareth, while Jesus brings in more wood.
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"Joseph Most Faithful"
This scene depicts Jesus blessing Joseph on his deathbed. There is no actual mention in the New Testament of the death of Joseph.
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"This is My Beloved Son"
St. John is baptizing Jesus by sprinkling water in the traditional church manner. The Spirit of God is descending on Jesus as a dove.
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"Fill the Water Pots"
This is Jesus' command to the servants at the wedding feast of Cana. The miracle is already occurring, as shown by the clear water turning into red wine as it is poured into the pot.
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"Drink Ye All of This"
The words Jesus spoke as he elevated the cup at the Last Supper. The loves of bread are shown on a dish before him.
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"Mother of Sorrows"
This scene of Jesus on the way to Calvary depicts Station 4 of the Stations of the Cross, Jesus Meets His Blessed Mother.
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"They Crucified Him"
The two figures kneeling at the foot of the cross are Mary, and "the disciple whom Jesus loved."
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"He is Risen"
Jesus is triumphant over death and the cross. The cross is now seen mounted on the staff in his hand.
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"He Blessed Them"
Jesus ascends into heaven, accompanied by angels, in the presence of his disciples.
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"They Were Filled with the Holy Ghost"
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is depicted as "tongues of fire" descending on the disciples and Mary. This enabled foreigners present to each hear them in their own language.
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"Fair and Beautiful Art Thou"
Mary is assumed into Heaven, accompanied by angels. Although not in the New Testament, the story of the Assumption is one of the oldest traditions of the Catholic Church.
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