Stained Glass
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| Last Supper Stained Glass at All Saints' |
Active interest in stained-glass windows for All Saints' Episcopal Church was demonstrated by many members of the parish soon after the arrival of the Reverend Ferdinand D. Saunders as Rector. Good grass roots interest developed strongly and, in 1972, Father Saunders appointed Mr. E. Allen Hill, Chairman, of a committee to pursue the matter. Other committee members included Mrs. Richard (Sharon) Morgret, and the Messrs. Wesley H. Caldwell, Jr., and Graham P. Brotherson.
Following many field trips and after evaluating a number of possibilities, the committee recommended to the Vestry that Wippell-Mowbray Church Furnishings, Ltd., Exeter, England, be selected to design and craft our windows. Their recommendation was accepted by the Rector and the Vestry.
A basic theme was adopted and it was agreed that our proposed stained-glass windows would depict major events in the life of Christ, the experience of Pentecost, Moses and the Burning Bush, and Christ with His Hands raised in blessing and benediction. The major events included: The Annunciation, The Nativity, The Presentation, The Flight into Egypt, The Carpenter's Shop, The Baptism of Our Lord, The Last Supper, Gethsemane, The Crucifixion, The Resurrection, and The Ascension.
In order to preserve artistic harmony in all the windows, it was agreed that the same English artist would do all of the artwork. Preliminary sketches were reviewed by all the members of the Vestry, appropriate modifications were made, and revised sketches were submitted to us. At last, the approved sketches were translated into color representations of the windows to be crafted.
Overwhelming and enthusiastic acceptance was the immediate response of the offerings of opportunities to participate in a stained-glass window program for our parish. Many members of the parish elected to memorialize dearly beloved and departed ones. Others chose to designate their own offerings as thanksgivings for blessings received.
The initial formal offering to members and friends of All Saints' Parish to provide memorials and/or thanksgiving stained-glass windows was made in January 1974. Ten stained-glass windows were installed in March 1975, and final installation of the other four windows was completed in October 1975. The windows were blessed on Sunday, March 21, 1976.
Wippel-Mowbray achieved excellence in crafting these windows. The artistry, content, and execution of the subject matter provide new dimensions to our worship and a fitting and lasting expression of love and honor to the memory of loved ones and to give thanks to God for His blessings. Because of the beauty of these stained-glass windows, generations of Christians following in the path we have walked will be lifted nearer to the Heart of God.