OUR APOSTLE WINDOW
( Thank you to Lee Faber, Warden Emeritus
for providing us with this bit of history).
The Altar Window
Stained glass windows originally served a dual purpose as ornamentation and teaching tools for the illiterate congregations, ours, however is also for the literate congregation. Our Altar window is a first class window and I would like to urge you to come up sometime and examine it. ( It's safe, you can even keep your shoes on.) The colors are clear and vibran; the blue is probably cobalt, the red is gold in collodial form, and uranium for the yellow.
The window depicts three stages in St. Martin's life. In the center, lower third, section of the window "St. Martin divideth his cloak with beggar." This was the first stage of his spiritual journey as a proselyte while serving in the Roman Army. Here he gives half of his main possession to a beggar, later in a dream he saw Christ wearing the cloak in Heaven.
The left, or Gospel, side of the window was written in script; "St. Martin giveth the Gold and Silver chains." I haven't come across any other reference to this in any chronicles of St. Martin's life. May take is that it depicts the second phase of his journey and shows his entry into monastic life.
The right, or Epistle, side states, "St. Martin healeth the slave of the procouncil". Acutally, this was the casting out of a demon while serving as bishop as he is shown with a miter and crosier.
The large part of the center panel shows the risen Christ blessing St. Martin, the final stage in his journey. On the right side is the shield of St. Martin, a sword atop a cloak. On the left side is a shield with ICXC on top (the first and last letters of Jesus Christ). Ornamentation on the edges consists of fleur-de-lis, the lily which is the symbol of Mary and France, and roses, also a symbol of Mary and England.
The window was created by Calvert, Herrick, and Rieding of New York City and was given for Thomas Edgar Bechtel. It was probably part of the original church at the cost of approximately $500.00. We are fortunate that the Church was laid out with the Altar window set to the east so we can enjoy the sun shining through it during morning services.
Once again, come up sometime and take a closer look and appreciate one of our finest treasures.
- Lee Faber
* May 1st is the feast day for the Apostles Philip and James. As you enter the sanctuary, turn your attention to the Apostle Window at the back of the Church. St. James' window is the second from the top on the side of the Baptismal font. James was the son of Alphacas and was martyred by being sawn asunder. This window is given in memory of James & Louise Schwartz by family and friends.
* St. Philip's window is the third from the top on the side of the doors. The window displays a Bishop's cross & loaves from the miracle of the loaves and fishes. This window is given for Minnie Schuler by her husband and children.
* On July 23rd we celebrate the feast day of Saint James. James was the brother of John. He was the patron Saint of Spain and the first to go on a missionary journey. On our Apostle window, Saint James has the shield of the pilgrim with a symbol of scallops and is located second from the bottom on the side by the door. This window was given for Alberta Smith by her husband Albert.
* August 24th is the Feast Day of St. Bartholomew. His pane in our Apostle Window is located at the top on the side of the Baptismal font. This shield represents the alter-ego from John, it is the fig tree where Phillip found him and Jesus saw him. Nathaniel was martyred by being skinned alive so his other shield is three flaying knives. This window was given for Daniel Fine by his family.
* September 21st is the feast day of St. Matthew. St. Matthew's shield is located second from the bottom on the side near the Baptismal Font. St. Matthew may have been beheaded which is represented by the axe. The three money bags indicate his prior career as a tax collector. St. Matthew's symbol as the writer of the Gospel is that of a winged man. This pane was given in memory of Mr. & Mrs. Fred Pettit by their family.
* Wednesday, October 29th, is the Feast Day of Saint Jude and Saint Simon. St Jude is represented in our Apostle Window by the fourth pane from the top on the side of the Baptismal Font. Saint Jude was known for his missionary voyages with Saint Simon. The ship in Saint Jude' s window represents these voyages. This window was given for Louise Laske by her mother.
* The window for Saint Simon (the zealot) is located second from the top on the door side. Saint Simon' s shield is a book to represent the Gospel and a fish for the fisher of men. This window was given for Sarah Siegel by her family.
* December 17th is the Feast Day of St. John. St John's pane in the Apostle Window is located third from the bottom on the side of the door. The pane shows a serpent wrapped around a chalice. This was the vision given to St. John at Ephesus where he was given a poisoned cup. The last Gospel and Revelations are attributed to St. John. As a Gospeler, his symbol is that of an eagle. This pane was given for Margery Childs Weyenmeyer by family and friends.
* St Thomas; Feast Day is December 21st. St. Thomas' shield has a carpenter's square for his occupation and a spear to show his martyrdom in India where he is the patron Saint. This shield is located on the top of the door side.
* The Feast Day of St. Matthias is February 24th. In our Apostle Window, St. Matthias is depicted in the pane third from the top on the side of the Baptismal Font. St. Matthias' shield is a book and double-headed axe. The book possibly for spreading the Gospel and the axe, most probably, represents his death by dismemberment. St. Matthias is mentioned only once (Acts) when he was chosen to replace Judas. This pane in our Apostle Window was given for Nettie Fraley by family and friends.
* June 29th is the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul. On the Apostle Window, St. Peter is the bottom shield on the side by the door. It consists of an inverted cross and crossed keys. St. Peter asked to be crucified upside-down because he felt he was not worthy to die as his Lord and Master. St. Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom. This window was given for Barbara Puffer Willis by her husband Frank
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