St. Luke's stained glass windows
HISTORY OF CHURCH STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
The eighteen Stained Glass Windows in the church proper were all installed between 1894 and 1900. Many were purchased by the church and others were given as memorial gifts. A variety of glass was used in the windows: colored glass, painted glass, faceted glass and thickened glass for three dimensional effects.
We know from our records that:
Four windows were purchased in 1894 for $34.50 from Kansas City Stained Glass Works.
Four windows were purchased in 1896.
Three windows purchased in 1898, including the west one.
One window was given as memorial in 1900.
Also, there are three stained glass windows in the Office, purchased in 1925, one in the main church entrance way, one in the north entrance and six in the Bell Tower purchased in 1922.
Altar Windows: There are three windows in the altar area. Each window contains a different design but each also contains the word HOLY on the bottom of the window. There are two on the south side and one on the north side. Their view is obstructed by the organ. They are some of the ones with thickened, raised glass. Their cost and date of instillation are not known.
East Side, Above South Choir: This window is called the Baptismal Window. The descending dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The Baptismal Font has 8 sides, as the number 8 symbolizes regeneration. The inscription above the Font is “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” The bottom inscription is, “To the glory of God and in living memory of Alice Maud Beisley, Entered into Life, May 7th. 1896" She died at age 15 and her funeral was the first funeral held at St. Luke’s.
South Side, East End: These are the Easter Windows. The main symbols are the Latin Cross and the Lily, both reminders of Easter, as are the legends, “He is Risen” and “Alleluia” on the banners.
South Side, Center: These two windows were given as a memorial to Mrs. Ella M. McMillan, one of the founders of the church, by her sister Mrs. Ada E. Dodge of Annapolis, Maryland. They were installed in 1898. The eastern window depicts the ascension of Jesus as indicated by the quotation from Luke 24:51 on the banner, “He was departed from them and carried up into Heaven”. The western window depicts an angel writing the names of the faithful departed in the Book of Life. The cross and crown over the angel’s head symbolize Christ’s victory over death. The inscription is from Matthew 25:21, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
South Side, West End: Once again we see the Latin cross with a variety of Christian symbols on either side. On the eastern window, the Alpha (!) and Omega (S) (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) symbolize Almighty God. On the western window, the symbol to the left of the cross is Chi Rho, a monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ. The symbol to the right incorporates the Greek letters “Iota”, “Etta”, and Sigma” (IHS).the first three letters of the name Jesus.
West Window: This window was given to the church by the Daughters of the King. It contains two crosses at the bottom left and right. The cross, a Greek Cross Fleury, is the emblem of the Order. The right cross is without words. The left cross is inscribed, in Latin, across the bottom, Magnanimiter Cruceum Sustine, the watchword of the Order, meaning “With heart mind and spirit uphold and bear the cross.” Across the top of the left cross are the words “For His Sake,” the Moto of the Order. An interesting note is that only a member in good standing in The Daughters of the King may wear the cross of the Order. The cross remains the property of the Order and when a member dies, it may be buried with her or it must be returned to the National Office.
The window was dedicated on March 19, 1898 and is inscribed “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Elisa Smith Thomas, S.T.D. Second Bishop of Kansas.”
There are 6 distinct sections in this window, formed by Gothic Arches. Symbols include: Across the Bottom, the Fleur-De-Lys (A 3 pointed Lily symbolizing both purity and the Trinity) and the Cross Pattee (resembles Maltese Cross used for decorative purposes); Center, the Budded Cross, and the Palm Tree (signifying Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem); and at the Top, the Chi Rho and IHS symbols.
Throughout the window are symbols of the Episcopacy appropriate to its dedication to Bishop Thomas. These include at center right side, Crosier (Bishop Staff), the Bishop’s Miter (hat) with trailing lappets (ribbons) and at center left crossed keys. The citation from the Psalm is verse 72 of Psalm 78 in most Bible translations. It reads, “He fed them with a faithful and true heart, and ruled them prudently with all his power Psalm 78:73.” The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer designated it as verse 73 in 1898 when the window was created.
North Side, West End: These two windows feature crosses that are “Rayed Crosses” or the Cross in Glory. The quotations on the Banners are from the Christmas scriptures, “Glory Be to God” and “Good Will toward Men”, so these might be termed our Christmas Windows
North Side, Center: These two windows are dedicated to the Ames Family, another prominent family at the time the church was built. The west window symbolizes the Word (The Bible in Window) and the Blue Circle surrounding the Bible symbolizes eternity. The east window symbolized the Sacraments (the Chalice and Host) and the dove in the east window symbolizes the power of the Holy Spirit.
North Side, East End: These two windows may symbolize the sacraments of Confirmation and Baptism. The Bishop’s Miter in the west window suggests the Bishop’s Role in Confirmation. The Myrtle Leaves symbolize Love. The eight pointed star in the east window is a symbol of the Regeneration of Baptism.
East Side, Above North Choir Stall: The white and gold lilies on this window are a symbol of the Resurrection. The window, given in Memory of Mary R. McMahon, was installed in 1900 only days before the church was finally consecrated on May 20, 1900. It contains the quotation, “To the glory of God, and in Loving Memory of Mary R. McMahon.”
Office Windows: There are three widows in the office. They were given in memory of Olive Palmer by the Palmer family in 1925, the year the Guild Hall was built. The windows contain many lilies and are dedicated to the Glory of God. The north and south windows are similar with the south window containing the phrase “To the Glory of God”. The middle window contains a picture of an angel. The significance of the angel is not known. History of Mrs. Olive Palmer is not known other than she was a guild member. She is pictured, in a 1922 photograph of St. Luke’s Guild, on page 43 of Dr. Littrell’s “History of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.” The office was added as part of the Guild Hall addition in 1925.
Main Church Entrance, South Door: There is no information about this window but it does appear in church pictures prior to the bell tower being erected in 1920. It contains a cross wrapped with ribbons containing the phrase, “This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven”, Gen. 28:17.
North Entrance: There is no information about this window. It contains the Star of David surrounded by a circle. The Star of David consists of two equilateral triangles, one over the other, to produce a six-pointed star b.
Bell Tower Windows: Six stained glass windows are in the Bell Tower. These were purchased from Kansas City Stained Glass Works Co. for $117.00 in 1922. The two on the west side contain crosses, and the two on the south side contain crowns while the two east windows contain six sided stars.
Excerpts from Research by J. Harvey Littrell.
The eighteen Stained Glass Windows in the church proper were all installed between 1894 and 1900. Many were purchased by the church and others were given as memorial gifts. A variety of glass was used in the windows: colored glass, painted glass, faceted glass and thickened glass for three dimensional effects.
We know from our records that:
Four windows were purchased in 1894 for $34.50 from Kansas City Stained Glass Works.
Four windows were purchased in 1896.
Three windows purchased in 1898, including the west one.
One window was given as memorial in 1900.
Also, there are three stained glass windows in the Office, purchased in 1925, one in the main church entrance way, one in the north entrance and six in the Bell Tower purchased in 1922.
Altar Windows: There are three windows in the altar area. Each window contains a different design but each also contains the word HOLY on the bottom of the window. There are two on the south side and one on the north side. Their view is obstructed by the organ. They are some of the ones with thickened, raised glass. Their cost and date of instillation are not known.
East Side, Above South Choir: This window is called the Baptismal Window. The descending dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The Baptismal Font has 8 sides, as the number 8 symbolizes regeneration. The inscription above the Font is “YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” The bottom inscription is, “To the glory of God and in living memory of Alice Maud Beisley, Entered into Life, May 7th. 1896" She died at age 15 and her funeral was the first funeral held at St. Luke’s.
South Side, East End: These are the Easter Windows. The main symbols are the Latin Cross and the Lily, both reminders of Easter, as are the legends, “He is Risen” and “Alleluia” on the banners.
South Side, Center: These two windows were given as a memorial to Mrs. Ella M. McMillan, one of the founders of the church, by her sister Mrs. Ada E. Dodge of Annapolis, Maryland. They were installed in 1898. The eastern window depicts the ascension of Jesus as indicated by the quotation from Luke 24:51 on the banner, “He was departed from them and carried up into Heaven”. The western window depicts an angel writing the names of the faithful departed in the Book of Life. The cross and crown over the angel’s head symbolize Christ’s victory over death. The inscription is from Matthew 25:21, “Well done thou good and faithful servant”.
South Side, West End: Once again we see the Latin cross with a variety of Christian symbols on either side. On the eastern window, the Alpha (!) and Omega (S) (first and last letters of the Greek alphabet) symbolize Almighty God. On the western window, the symbol to the left of the cross is Chi Rho, a monogram of the first two letters, Chi (X) and Rho (P), of the Greek word for Christ. The symbol to the right incorporates the Greek letters “Iota”, “Etta”, and Sigma” (IHS).the first three letters of the name Jesus.
West Window: This window was given to the church by the Daughters of the King. It contains two crosses at the bottom left and right. The cross, a Greek Cross Fleury, is the emblem of the Order. The right cross is without words. The left cross is inscribed, in Latin, across the bottom, Magnanimiter Cruceum Sustine, the watchword of the Order, meaning “With heart mind and spirit uphold and bear the cross.” Across the top of the left cross are the words “For His Sake,” the Moto of the Order. An interesting note is that only a member in good standing in The Daughters of the King may wear the cross of the Order. The cross remains the property of the Order and when a member dies, it may be buried with her or it must be returned to the National Office.
The window was dedicated on March 19, 1898 and is inscribed “To the Glory of God and in Loving Memory of Elisa Smith Thomas, S.T.D. Second Bishop of Kansas.”
There are 6 distinct sections in this window, formed by Gothic Arches. Symbols include: Across the Bottom, the Fleur-De-Lys (A 3 pointed Lily symbolizing both purity and the Trinity) and the Cross Pattee (resembles Maltese Cross used for decorative purposes); Center, the Budded Cross, and the Palm Tree (signifying Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem); and at the Top, the Chi Rho and IHS symbols.
Throughout the window are symbols of the Episcopacy appropriate to its dedication to Bishop Thomas. These include at center right side, Crosier (Bishop Staff), the Bishop’s Miter (hat) with trailing lappets (ribbons) and at center left crossed keys. The citation from the Psalm is verse 72 of Psalm 78 in most Bible translations. It reads, “He fed them with a faithful and true heart, and ruled them prudently with all his power Psalm 78:73.” The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer designated it as verse 73 in 1898 when the window was created.
North Side, West End: These two windows feature crosses that are “Rayed Crosses” or the Cross in Glory. The quotations on the Banners are from the Christmas scriptures, “Glory Be to God” and “Good Will toward Men”, so these might be termed our Christmas Windows
North Side, Center: These two windows are dedicated to the Ames Family, another prominent family at the time the church was built. The west window symbolizes the Word (The Bible in Window) and the Blue Circle surrounding the Bible symbolizes eternity. The east window symbolized the Sacraments (the Chalice and Host) and the dove in the east window symbolizes the power of the Holy Spirit.
North Side, East End: These two windows may symbolize the sacraments of Confirmation and Baptism. The Bishop’s Miter in the west window suggests the Bishop’s Role in Confirmation. The Myrtle Leaves symbolize Love. The eight pointed star in the east window is a symbol of the Regeneration of Baptism.
East Side, Above North Choir Stall: The white and gold lilies on this window are a symbol of the Resurrection. The window, given in Memory of Mary R. McMahon, was installed in 1900 only days before the church was finally consecrated on May 20, 1900. It contains the quotation, “To the glory of God, and in Loving Memory of Mary R. McMahon.”
Office Windows: There are three widows in the office. They were given in memory of Olive Palmer by the Palmer family in 1925, the year the Guild Hall was built. The windows contain many lilies and are dedicated to the Glory of God. The north and south windows are similar with the south window containing the phrase “To the Glory of God”. The middle window contains a picture of an angel. The significance of the angel is not known. History of Mrs. Olive Palmer is not known other than she was a guild member. She is pictured, in a 1922 photograph of St. Luke’s Guild, on page 43 of Dr. Littrell’s “History of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.” The office was added as part of the Guild Hall addition in 1925.
Main Church Entrance, South Door: There is no information about this window but it does appear in church pictures prior to the bell tower being erected in 1920. It contains a cross wrapped with ribbons containing the phrase, “This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of Heaven”, Gen. 28:17.
North Entrance: There is no information about this window. It contains the Star of David surrounded by a circle. The Star of David consists of two equilateral triangles, one over the other, to produce a six-pointed star b.
Bell Tower Windows: Six stained glass windows are in the Bell Tower. These were purchased from Kansas City Stained Glass Works Co. for $117.00 in 1922. The two on the west side contain crosses, and the two on the south side contain crowns while the two east windows contain six sided stars.
Excerpts from Research by J. Harvey Littrell.
