About the Stained Glass Windows

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Stained Glass Windows

The windows in the church were designed by Dennis Roberts and illustrate various chapters in the Bible.

The Resurrection Window

(South Window - Sanctuary)

The main window over the sanctuary portrays the Resurrection account from all four Gospels:

Mark 16:1-20, (women entering the tomb, young man in white)
Matt 28:1-2, (dawn, rising sun, earthquake)
Luke 12:1, (women carrying spices)
John 20:5-8, (strips of linen, burial cloth folded)

These individual design elements are tied into one design with the help of two symbols, shown here in abstract, from the early Church. The legendary phoenix is an ancient emblem of immortality that in Christianity became a symbol for the Resurrection. The furca, or fork, is a medieval symbol for the Trinity. Inverted as shown here, it expresses salvation descending from above and spreading over the world. Note that the Risen Christ is ascending to the right hand of God the Father; the tomb (death) is on the Father’s left and the rising sun (victory over death) on His right, signifying the separation of sheep and goats in the Final Judgment; and in the grouping of three crosses, only one is touching the center cross, symbolizing the thief on the cross who recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

The Phoenix Bird

The phoenix, legendary though it was, caught the interest of people through the centuries. The coins of emperors in the East bore its image. Its likeness was seen on many ancient stone coffins. In the Christian era it appeared as a church symbol, unmistakably as an emblem of immortality. More specifically, the phoenix in Christian circles stood for bodily resurrection - first for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and then for that of the believers.

The Furca

The furca, or fork, is a medieval symbol for the Trinity. In its inverted format as illustrated here, it expresses salvation descending from above spreading over the world.

The positioning of the design elements have further symbolic meaning. Christ is positioned as ascending to the right hand of God the Father. The Tomb (symbol of death) is on the left side, the Rising Sun (symbolic of victory over death) is on the right to remind us of the final judgment, the separation of the sheep and goats on the right and left of God. There are three crosses, one of which is touching the center cross, symbolizing the thief on the cross recognizing Christ as the Son of God.

Sermon On The Mount

(East Window)

This window is an illustration of the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5-8. Gathering at the feet of Christ are the disciples as He began to teach them. In the far left corner of the design are the Tablets, burning bush and lightening as described when the law was given to Moses. Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of the prophets...but to fulfill them." To the far right corner Matthew 7:24-27, "Therefore everyone who hears these words...and it fell with a great crash."

The descending dove, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, envelops the space of the entire window to further emphasize the omnipresence of God. The open book is symbolic of God's Word going out to all mankind. The circle is not only a symbol of the perfection of God but also of His everlasting and eternal nature.

The disciples being illustrated within this circle further reminds us of our own salvation and eternal life given us by the grace of God through Word and Sacrament.

Woman At The Well

(West Window)

The illustration in this window is based on John 4, The Samaritan Woman at the well. On the far left we have the Temple and mountain illustrated as discussed in 4:19, "Sir", the woman said, "I can see...we must worship in Jerusalem." On the right side of the window is the running water flowing from the cross, symbolic of what Christ told the woman in 4:13, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling to eternal life." The Holy Spirit is illustrated as the descending dove. Instead of the open Bible we have two hands descending from above holding the globe (circle), symbolic of God's love and care for us in His hands. The phoenix, legendary though it was, caught the interest of people through the centuries. The coins of emperors in the East bore its image. Its likeness was seen on many ancient stone coffins. In the Christian era it appeared as a church symbol, unmistakably as an emblem of immortality. More specifically, the phoenix in Christian circles stood for bodily resurrection - first for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and then for that of the believers. The individual design elements are pulled together into one design.

Pentecost Window
(North Window)
Fr. Drew Wood, pastor of St. Laurence, provided the inspiration for the newest of the stained glass windows, added during the church expansion in 2008. His devotion to the Blessed Mother and his commitment to discipleship are both apparent in this window depicting the resplendent power of Pentecost as described in the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Spirit is illustrated as the wings of a dove descending on all those gathered. An explosion of spiritual fire surrounds Mary and the apostles with grace and love. In Acts 2:36, St. Peter said, “Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified,” and all who believed received the Holy Spirit. The sacrifice of our Lord is depicted in the wheat (bread) and grapes (wine) of the Eucharist. Filled with that same Holy Spirit, we leave Mass to change the world.