Narthex Windows
Pictures coming soon!
THE CONFESSION OF 1967 WINDOW
Given by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Robertson,
Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Robertson and Mr. and Mrs. Joe E.
Robertson.
The window is blue, red and gold, representing the colors of the official seal of the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
The golden, down-reaching hand (repeated from the Nicene Banner), represents God relating to his world.
The nail-scared hand and the crown (repeated from the Westminster Banner), represents the death and victory of Christ as he reconciles the world.
The four hands of different colors, the clasped hands and the green circle, represents the reconciled world at the foot of the cross-God’s act of reconciliation being the starting point and theme of the Confession of 1967.
The stars and planets on the blue background represent the space-age setting of the writing of the Confession of 1967.
THE HEIDELBERG CATECHISM WINDOW Given by Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Robertson.
The window is regal red and gold, these colors are a tribute to the rule of Frederick III, who ordered the writing of the Catechism for followers of John Calvin in Germany.
The crown of thorns, the “German” Cross and the tablets are symbols of misery, redemption and thankfulness-the three basic themes of the Catechism. The tablets stand for the Ten Commandments, which appear in the Catechism where it teaches that obedience is the proper form of thankfulness.
The two lights and the fire, representing the Trinity, with the Hebrew name of God on the left orb, the Greek monogram for Jesus on the right orb and the flame standing for the Holy Spirit. There is a long discussion of the Trinity in the Catechism.
THE SECOND HELVETIC CONFESSION WINDOW Given in memory of Roy E. Clark.
The blue and white are the Heraldic colors of ancient Switzerland.The cross is dominant due to the extensive discussion of salvation in the Confession.
The hand and the burning heart are traditional symbols of John Calvin, being on Calvin’s crest with the inscription, “My heart, I give you Lord, eagerly and sincerely”.
The lamp represents knowledge and discipline, two of the themes of the Helvetic Confession which make it unique.
The shepherd’s crook and pasture represent the pastoral ministry and the flock’s care for one another.
The chalice and the waves represent the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism.
THE SCOTS CONFESSION WINDOW Given in memory of Mollie Branaman.
The blue of the shield is the color of the Church of Scotland.
The Tartan, X-shaped cross is a form called the St. Andrew’s Cross, he being the apostle who brought the Gospel to Scotland. The Tartan, or plaid, is that of the Hamilton clan in honor of the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation, Patrick Hamilton.
The Celtic Cross is another ancient form associated with Christians of the British Isles.
The ship is a symbol for the Church. The Scots Confession contains a remarkable, strong doctrine of the Church.
The Bible and the Sword are prominent in the window. Paul called the word of God, “the Sword of the Spirit,” and the sharpness of John Knox’s preaching of the Word was a major power for reformation in Scotland.
The burning bush which is not consumed, reminds us of Moses’ Sinai experience, thus a symbol of God’s presence and call: the chief symbol of the Church of Scotland.
THE WESTMINSTER CONFESSION WINDOW Given in memory of Edith Robertson.
The three long panels and the maroon triangle represent the Trinity.
The eye represents God’s providence and control of all life and history-a dominant theme of the Westminster Confession.
The crown represents God’s rule and sovereignty.
The open Bible is a symbol of the authority of the word of God written, basic to the Confession’s teaching.
The alpha and the omega, these are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, the beginning and the end referring to Christ, and his eternity.
THE NICENE AND APOSTLE’S CREED WINDOW Given in memory of Hal V. Driver.
The cross which is also a sword, is a symbol for the Emperor Constantine, because he called the ecumenical council which began the process of thing which resulted in this Creed. Constantine became a Christian and made Christianity the official religion of the empire. The cross is central here because the doctrine of Christ is central in the creed.
The green triangle and the three symbols with it represent the doctrine of the Trinity formalized in the Nicene Creed.
The down-reaching hand represents God, the Father.
The Chi Rho monogram represents Christ, the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, used by Constantine on the shields and helmets of his army.
The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
The crowns represent the rule and glory of God.
The somber brown color represents the difficulty and rigor of early Christianity under persecution; also, the monastic tradition.
The purple arches represent the entrances to caves or catacombs, where early Christians met in secret; also the shape of Gothic church windows.
The anchor cross represents our security in Christ, as found by the apostles, some of whom were fishermen.
The fish is the ancient symbol for the Christian faith, also a secret code mark. Letters of the Greek word for fish can be used as first letters in the phrase “Jesus Christ God’s Son Savior.”
The upside-down cross, is a symbol for the martyrdom of the Apostle Peter, who in legend, is said to have been crucified upside down because he thought himself unworthy of a death life his Master’s.
Sanctuary Windows
The stories of the windows are coming soon. But feel free to enjoy their beauty in the meantime...
