Stained Glass
St. Georges is home to many beautiful stained glass windows. They were commissioned from Henry Lee Willett Studios of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the early 1950’s shortly after construction of the church was completed. The following blurbs are based on the transcription of a tour given by the Rev. Hedley J. Williams found in the appendix of the One Hundred Year History of St. Georges.
Rose Window
The rose window is named as such because of how a rose unfolds from its center or bud. If you look at the window and imagine it as the face of a clock, in the 10:00 o’clock position you see the symbol of the cup of suffering. The symbol of the cup with the cross rising out of it refers to the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed;, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, Your will be done.” In the 7:00 o’clock position is the symbol of the whips and the whipping post, which of course tells us of the scourging which our Lord Jesus Christ suffered before he was crucified. At the 5:00 o’clock position there is the symbol of the rooster, which tells us the story of Peter, who said he would be loyal to Christ no matter what happened, and our Lord said, “Peter, before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” Then, at the 2:00 o’clock , is the symbol of the crucifixion: that is, the cross draped with a winding sheet. At 12:00 o’clock is the triumphant cross, or the cross of the resurrection standing on the globe, or the orb of the world. All of these symbols which refer to Christ's suffering and resurrection culminate in the center of the window, where we see a lamb lying upon a book from which hang seven seals. We so often refer to Christ, or the New Testament does, as the Lamb of God who was slain to take away the sin of the world and reconcile God and man. The lamb, which symbolizes Christ, holds the banner of victory which is flying from the cross. There is a three rayed nimbus about the lamb’s head which is the symbol of divinity. The Lamb of God, or Christ, because he perfectly fulfilled the will of God, is able to reveal the meaning of the seven visions in the Book of Revelation to the seven churches. Thus, the symbolism of the seven hanging seals.
Creation and Moses
Around the nave are the windows which deal with the Biblical subjects of the Old and New Testaments. On the Fairfax Drive side, starting nearest the lectern, is the story of the Creation. The window shows animals such as whales, lions, giraffes, and then the figures of Adam and Eve with their hands upraised to God.
Next to the Creation window is the story of Noah and the ark. There is the lumber and the tools with which Noah built the ark. A little way up the window we find the animals, represented here by two sheep and two pigs entering the ark. There is the driving rain, and then above the ark is the figure of the dove.
Moses and Daniel
Continuing towards the rear of the church, we come to the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments At the bottom of the window are the tents of the people of Israel. Moses is shown at the top of Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments.
While Moses brought God’s law to the people of Israel, it is fitting that Daniel, who devoutly kept those laws even when it brought him into conflict with earthly rulers, be placed next to him. Daniel is shown here with a lion in reference to the story of Daniel being thrown into the den of lions. At the top of this window is the flaming furnace which Daniel’s friends--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--were thrown into. To the king’s amazement, they emerged from the furnace unharmed.
Isaiah and John The Baptist
Next we come to the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, which means “God’s helper.” Most of the window shows the story of Isaiah’s vision and call, which is in the sixth chapter of the Book of Isaiah. At the bottom of the window we see a saw, which is a symbol of the martyrdom of this prophet, for it is thought that he was sawed in half when he was martyred.
John the Baptist was the last of the prophets and the only one who appears in the New Testament. In a sense he is the bridge between the Old and the New Testaments. At the bottom of the window are shown the waters of the Jordan. As we move up, the people are listening to John preach. The lamb in John’s arms reminds us that John recognized Christ and told his disciples, “Behold, the Lamb of God.” At the top of the window is the image of the locust, as one of the foods that John ate was locusts.
Mary
Now we begin the actual events of the life of Jesus. Mary is shown kneeling in prayer, surrounded by lilies, or fleurs-de-lis. The archangel Gabriel is standing above her, telling her that she will bear a son whose name shall be Jesus. He is dressed appropriately in flaming wings. The second of these two windows shows Mary sitting holding the baby Jesus with Joseph standing behind her. At the top of the window is the Star of Bethlehem. Also note the three-rayed nimbus on the head of Christ, which you will see wherever the Trinity appears.
Epiphany and Baptism
The last pair of windows on this side of the nave show the Epiphany and the baptism of Jesus. The bottom of the Epiphany window is the Christ Child with the nimbus, holding his hands up as though to receive with joy the gifts of the three wise men, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their camels are shown to the right of the picture and the star is shown above them.
The baptism of Jesus is when Christ’s ministry began. The window shows John the Baptist baptizing Jesus in the waters of the Jordan river. The top of the window shows the Holy Spirit shining down upon them.
Temptation and Palm Sunday
The story of Christ’s life continues on the other side of the nave, the south side of the church. First is the window of the temptations. After his baptism, Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness, fasting among wild beasts. Notice at the bottom of the window the satirical figure of Satan, the devil. There are three temptations shown here: first Satan said, “If you are the son of God, turn these stones into bread,” and there are the stones, just to the right of Satan. In the second temptation, Satan said, “If you are the son of God, go up to the top of the temple and jump off, and the angels will bear you in their hands so that you do not dash your foot against a stone.” Then Satan is seen holding up the world, with buildings and sailing ships on it saying, “If you will worship me I will give you all of this.” But Jesus is pointing to the Book, the Word of God, and saying, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”
We continue with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem. At the bottom of the window is a woman spreading a cloak on the ground in honor of Jesus, who is coming into the city. He is riding upon a donkey which is a symbol of peace. The people are acclaiming Christ and shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” The palm trees are shown at the top of the window.
The Last Supper and Crucifixion
As we move to the next set of windows, we see the Last Supper. Although there are twelve plates set, you’ll find only eleven disciples because Judas is not at the table. At the top of the window, our Lord Christ is holding the cup and the loaf of bread that he is about to bless and share with his disciples. Next to him in the top of the window is an image of Judas with the bag of silver he was given for betraying Jesus.
The next window shows Jesus’ crucifixion. At the bottom of the window we see the women mourning his torturous death, and on his head we see the crown of thorns that the soldiers put on him to mock him.
Resurrection and Ascension
The next window shows the Resurrection of Jesus. In the bottom right, the artist has included a pomegranate, a symbol of the Resurrection. It is a flower which bursts forth and scatters its seeds around it. So it is a symbol of the power of the Lord who was able to burst from the tomb and come forth alive so as to give new life and new creation to the world. We also notice that the figure of Christ has been represented with somewhat changed features for his followers did not recognize him when they met him. He holds the staff of victory with the Christian flag flying from it, and has his hand raised in the blessing of the Trinity.
Next to this window is the window of the Ascension. Jesus led his disciples out to Bethany and there he ascended up to heaven. They are looking up and watching him as he ascends, and his hands are reaching down in blessing. Above him is the dove, the symbol of the Holy Spirit, ascending with Christ.
Transfiguration
The Transfiguration window is located at the east end of the nave, over the main door on the Nelson Street side. The window was commissioned in 1956, and dedicated at a special service in 1958.
The central figure of Christ is outstanding, transfigured. ‘His face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.’ On either side of Him are Elias, left, and Moses, right. Elias, or Elijah, is identified by a raven with bread in its beak, reminiscent of the miraculous feeding of the prophet by the brook. His symbol in the tracery is the rod which turned into a serpent. ‘As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.’ Above Christ’s head is the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove with a three-rayed nimbus.
At Christ’s feet is the Holy City, Jerusalem, with Solomon’s temple predominant. The three disciples, Peter, James, and Jon, who attended the Savior, are seen lower down the mountainside, watching the scene with awe. Indeed Peter writes of this unforgettable experience in 2 Peter 1:16-18. ‘We were eye witnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there came a voice to him--”this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And this voice which came from heaven we heard we were with him in the Holy Mount.’
These words are inscribed in the traceries to the left and the right of the window. At the top of the right and left lancets are angels who are also worshiping Christ. ‘As he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistening.’ Luke 9:29.
The remaining nine apostles are shown at the bottom of the window watching the father and his demoniac son whom they were powerless to heal.
At the apex of the window, in the traceries, two crosses appear side by side. The one on the left, draped with the winding sheet, is the cross on which Christ was crucified. The decorative triumphant cross on the right symbolizes the living Christ, the Son of Man risen from the dead. These two events, his death and resurrection, were foretold by Christ to his three companions at the time of his transfiguration, but they did not understand His words. ‘And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.’ Mark 9:10.