Three Chancel windows, sixteen nave aisle windows and one window in the narthex were designed and executed for the First Presbyterian Church by Willet Studio. These have been fabricated according to the age-old process used to make the windows which adorn churches and cathedrals of the medieval age. A stained glass window is a mosaic made up of morsels of colored glass held together by strips of grooved lead, which in turn are reinforced by iron bars securely anchored to the window frame. Features, folds of drapery, ornament and texture are painted on the glass with dark pigment which is permanently fused into it by intense heat. The same methods of fabrication, perfected more than eight hundred years ago in France and England, are in use today, and the art of stained glass is a handicraft that is still practiced much as it was during the Middle Ages.The windows of First Presbyterian Church tell the story of Jesus Christ. The icongraphy begins at the rear on the epistle side and moves toward the front, then crossing to the gospel side moves from the front to the rear.
This window illustrates the Acts of Mercy as recounted in the twenty-fifth chapter of Matthew.
These are feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, visiting the
sick, consoling the prisoner and welcoming the stranger. These are the duties Christians owe
their fellow men and the location of these admonitions in the narthex is a reminder to the departing
congregation. "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it
unto me."
This window was given in memory of "the Unnamed Faithful" by the Session of the Church.
Christ's story cannot be told without referring to the messianic prophecy. Here then is the
prophet Isaiah. When called upon to prophesy, he considered himself unworthy so a cherubim
was sent to purify his lips with a burning coal from the altar of sacrifice. At the bottom is the
Holy Child with arms outstretched to the world.
This window was given in honor of Mrs. Perry King Thomas, Jr. by her children, Perry, Michael,
Kathryn, and Glenn.
The angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin mary to announce the coming of the Christ Child. Above,
the dove of the Holy Spirit descends. The stylized lily symbolizes Mary's purity.
This window was given in memory of Mr. John P. Hunter by Mrs. Alice Adams Hunter
Here are Mary and Joseph watching over the child Jesus who lies in the manger. At the top is the star
of Bethlehem. The lamb at the bottom is the Agnus Dei, symbol of God the Son. the cross that he
holds presages the Crucifixion.
This window was given in memory of Mr, & Mrs. Ernest Love Joyner, Sr. by Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Love
Joyner, Jr.
The wise men kneel in adoration of the infant King having been guided to Him by a star. They
offer gold, frankincense and myrrh. This signals the showing of Christ to the Gentiles. At the
bottom is a symbol comprised of three crowns.
This window was given in appreciation for enriching worship by Anonymous Donors
Here Christ is shown being baptized by John in the Jordan. John pours water out of an escallop shell.
John, the Hermit, is dressed in skins. The Holy Spirit is the descending dove. The symbol at the
bottom is composed of a shell pouring water in which is a fish. Behind is a chi rho, XP, ancient monogram
of Jesus Christ.
This window was given in memory of Mr.& Mrs. James Philip Nanney and Mr. & Mrs. Alexis Polk McAllister
by Mrs Chauncey Rivers Godwin.
When his parents started home, Jesus remained behind in the Temple with the doctors.
After a day's journey His parents had to come back to Jerusalem to find Him. Here they are
seen at the back just discovering Him about His father's business. The symbol at the bottom
is a fountain of wisdom
.
This window was given in memory of Jon-Michael Bowen Ross and Mark Edward Ross
by Mr. & Mrs. Willis Prouty Ross
Jesus stands on the shore. He sees Peter and Andrew in the boat with their fishing nets and
invites them to follow Him to become "fishers of men". At the bottom is a chi rho flanked with
Peter's symbol-crossed keys and Andrew's X-shaped cross.
This window was given in memory of Mrs. George William Ruff by her children George, Edith, Balfour,
Guy, and Bea Ann
Jesus is seated on a stylized mountain top preaching to a crowd of people among
which are both men and women, old and young, IHS is another of Christ's monograms.
This window was given in memory of Mr. John Randolph Baker by Mrs. Myrtle Coleman Baker
A young lad offers his lunch of five loaves and two fishes to Jesus who multiplies it to feed the
multitude who gathered to hear Him speak. The symbol shows the long rays of sunset.
This window was given in memory of Dr. & Mrs. George L. Brown by their sons Robert, George, and William
Jesus is shown healing a crippled man. Behind Him is the woman touching the hem of His garment.
At the bottom is a caduceus.
This window was given in memory of Dr. Lucian Carl Feemster, Sr., Dr Lucian Carl Feemster, Jr., and
Mr. John McGaughey Feemster by Mrs. L.C. Feemster, Sr., Mrs. L.C. Feemster, Jr., and Mrs. J.M. Feemster
Jesus gathered the twelve Apostles around Him to celebrate the feast of the Passover.
He stands at the center with the bread and wine, elements of the ritual meal. Judas is
alienated at the bottom. below are grapes and wheat.
This window was given in memory of Mr. William Buchanan Fields by Mt. Thomas A. Fields and
Mrs. Elizabeth Fields Reed
Jesus Christ hangs on the cross. With Him are His mother Mary and His Beloved disciple John
into whose care He committed her. The sacrificial lamb refers to the sacrifice of Isaac, a type of
the Crucifixion.
This window was given in memory of Mrs. Daisy B. Purnell by Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Purnell
Here Christ bursts from the empty tomb bearing aloft the banner of the victory of life over sin and
death. The seeds bursting from the pomegranate recall that the grave could not contain Him.
This window was given in memory of Mrs. Glenn Ballard by her Church School Class
After His Resurrection, Jesus reappeared to His apostles to command them to go into the world to
preach the Gospel and baptize in the name of the father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This message
is symbolized at the bottom
This window was given in memory of Mrs. Erin Payne Serrill by Mr. H.G. Serrill
The faithful gathered together in an upper room to celebrate the feast of Pentecost experienced the guidance
of the Holy Spirit who made His presence known as tongues of fire over each head.
This window was given in memory of Mrs. Louise May Baughman by Earle W. Baughman, Dr. Earle W. Baughman,
Jr., and Mrs. Betty Baughman Suggs
and
in memory of Mr. Wilburn Wesly Hunt by Mr. & Mrs. Forrest Linton Morgan
The Ongoing Church owes its existence to the Apostles, then to many succeeding generations of
Christians. Here are Luther nailing up his ninety-five these, Calvin writing, Knox teaching and
Makemie preaching. At the bottom is the seal of the Presbyterian Church.
This window was given in memory of Mr. William Burns Marion by Mrs. William Burns Marion, Patrick, Frieda,
Michael, and Douglas
The theme of the chancel windows is most appropriate for its location. The central figure is jesus Christ holding out His hands in welcome saying: "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you." (Matthew 11:28-29) Accepting His invitation are people from all walks of life, both sexes and all ages. Their many occupations are identified by their clothes and the tools they hold.That Jesus is now in heaven is shown by the rainbow, the stars and the presence at the top of the window by the four winged beats from the book of Revelations which are the Four Evangelists: the man - Matthew, the lion - Mark, the ox - Luke, and the eagle - John.
Balancing these, at the top of each lancet, is a symbol of another member of the Trinity; the hand of God the father extended in blessing on the left and the descending dove of the Holy Spirit on the right. Some of the duties enjoined upon those who follow Him are illustrated by the parables of the Good Samaritan and the Sower next below. On the left the Samaritan is shown helping the robber's victim while the priest and Levite pass by unheeding. On the right the Sower sows his seeds, some of which is devoured by the birds, some falls among thorns, and some on good grounds where it flourishes. Below the two parables are symbols of the Acts of Mercy derived from the Twenty Fifth Chapter of Matthew, three on each side. These are: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and prisoner. They just fit in above the rainbow.
In the center lancet under the figure of Christ are Portraits of some particular missionaries who accepted the yoke of Christ and carried the Gospel message into remote parts of the world. These are William Carey, who went to India; David Brainerd who went to the American Indians; Sheldon Jackson who went to Alaska; David Livingston and Motte Martin who went to Africa; John Leighton Stuart who went to China.
The Crusader's crosses had point on the bottom so they could be carried along and planted wherever there was a wish to pray. Behind the cross at the bottom left is the seal of the United Nations and the U.N. buildings. The smith is beating a sword into a ploughshare as in Isaiah's prophecy of the peaceable kingdom. Behind the cross at the lower right is as astronaut walking in space above the earth and am atomic symbol. This recalls the words of the Eight Psalm: " Thou madest him (man) to have dominion over the works of thy hands."
In the Center at the bottom is the seal of the World Council of Churches which has as its device the ship of the Church with a cross topped mast. The many Christian Denominations are symbolized by little churches of various styles of architecture.
We invite you to visit our sanctuary this Sunday morning and experience the true beauty of our stained glass windows!