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Directory of Gadsden's Stained Glass Windows
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Windows 1-5
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Windows 13-17
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History of Gadsden’s Stained Glass Windows
The church construction itself involved not only the basic building but also selection and installation of a series of stained glass windows, each either recognizing specific donors or noted as the gift of a Sunday School class. Members pledged funds for these windows by purchasing $36. zero interest bonds which were repaid at the rate of 50 cents per month or $5. per year. Window honorees were W. S. Whitrog, L. C. Bennett, Reverend W. Q. Vreeland, the W. Q. Vreeland family, Mrs. Carpenter’s Sunday School class and the full Sunday School.
By the beginning of the twentieth century, a Gothic Revival in America was developing. Designs were inspired by travels through Europe, with a renewed interest in craft techniques and material the predate the Opalescent Period. Traditional materials and Gothic designs became more common and less expensive. The Gadsden Street’s sanctuary window are excellent examples of such art in the period of the church’s construction.
From the day of the church’s dedication, members of Gadsden Street UMC have been deservedly proud of the stained glass windows which are part of the sanctuary. Periodically, substantial sums have been spent to maintain the windows in good condition.
Information from John Appleyards book "History of Gadsden Street United Methodist Church"
Pictures taken by Jane Harper, WebServant.
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A. Sanctuary
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Window 1
Vase with Flowers
“To our mother, Ann C. Bennett, 1819-1900” by her children.
Window 5
Vase with Flowers
“To our parents, Washington and Margaret Briggs”
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Window 2
Upper Window - Variegated Stained Glass
Middle Window - Chalice
Jesus gave lasting religious significance to the ordinary cup when he made of it a chalice symbolically filled with his blood of “the new testament” Luke 22:20, I Corinthians 11:25
Lower Window - Jesus at Prayer in Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46 “In memory of Rev. W. Q. Vreeland, founder and first pastor” by Gadsden Street Methodist Church. |
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Window 3
Top Window - Crown and Cross
These two symbolize the reward of the faithful in the life after death to those who believe in the crucified Savior.
Upper Window - Variegated Stained Glass
Middle Window - Crown, Cross, Bible and Anchor
The first two symbols, the crown and the cross, symbolize the reward of the faithful in the life after death to those who believe in the crucified Savior. The other two symbols, the Bible and the anchor, symbolize the steadfastness of the Word of God.
Lower Window -The Resurrected Christ Appears to Mary John 20:11-18 “Minnie Belle Vreeland, Sarah Dahoney Vreeland, Charles Elmer Vreeland, Isa Belle Vreeland” by Rev. W. Q. Vreeland
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Window 4
Upper Window - Variegated Stained Glass
Middle Window - Menorah
This is not a true menorah. The true menorah is a seven-branch candlestick and is a symbol of Old Testament worship.
Lower Window - Jesus Knocking at the Door
Revelation 3:20
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Window 5 - see Window 1 |
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Window 6 and Window 10
The Epworth League Symbol
“All for Christ” - “Senior Epworth League, 1902”
The symbol is the Cross Pattee. this cross resembles the Maltese Cross. it is a beautiful form of the cross used widely for decorative purposes.
Note from the late Mrs. A. C. “Edith” Kingsberry - “The young people raised money for some of the stained glass windows in our sanctuary by giving bay parties and selling homemade ice cream and cake. They would charter a boat and barge on moonlight nights and all have a wonderful time.”
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Window 7
Angel with a Scroll
The words on the scroll are: “Above all these things put on charity.” |
Window 8
Jesus - The Good Shepard
John 10:14
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Window 9
Jesus and a Little Child
Matthew 19:13-15
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Window 10 - see Window 6
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Window 11-Left
Two Babies
“Our babies, Charles Julian and Howard Ashton Richards” by Mrs. and Mrs. W. W. Richards
Window 12 - Right
Easter Lilies
The Easter lily is a symbol of Easter and immortality. The bulb decays in the ground, yet from it new life is released.
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Window 13 - Left
Crown and Cross
“To our mothers, Salatha Richards, Mildred C. White” by Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Richards. The crown and cross symbolize the reward of the faithful in the life after death to those who believe in the crucified Savior. “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the Crown of Life.” Revelation 2:10
Window 17 - Right
The Rising Sun, Cross with the IHS Symbol and Anchor
“Donated by Class 16, Miss Mary Lucia Richards, Teacher, 1903” The IHS is composed of the first three letters (iota, eta, sigma) of the Greek spelling of Jesus.
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Window 14
Upper Window - The Lamb Standing with the Banner of Victory
No longer wounded, but standing with the banner of victory, suggesting the victorious nature of His sacrifice.
Middle Window - Cross
The Cross Fleuree, or flowered cross, denotes the adult Christian. The open ends symbolize the flowering from the bud.
Lower Window - Jesus, Seated on a Chair in the Home of Mary and Martha
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Window 15
Upper Window - The Open Bible
Symbolizes the Word of God.
Middle Window - Anchor and Chain
The anchor symbolizes steadfastness in Jesus Christ for the Christian.
Lower Window - Martha Busy at the Table
“In loving memory of my wife, Alma Gertrude Morrison, 1872-1902” by her husband.
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Window 16
Upper Window - Variegated Stained Glass
Middle Window - Crown
The crown is a symbol of the reward of the faithful in Jesus Christ. In the symbolism of the old Testament, the crown is a symbol of Deborah, because she was gifted for leadership during the period of the Judges.
Lower Window - Mary Seated on the Floor
“In loving memory of my wife.”
Note: It is believed that windows No. 14-15-16, which unite to form a single scene were given as a unit by Mrs. Morrison’s husband.
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Window 17 - see Window 13
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Window 18
Variegated Stained Glass.
Three large and three small windows. These windows are visible from the outside. They were covered on the inside with the installation of the Pipe Organ in 1937. They are on the West gabled end of the sanctuary.
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B. Northeast Narthex
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East Window - Two Small Variegated Stained Glass Windows
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North Window - Over the Gadsden Street Entrance “Gadsden Street Methodist Church”
Note: The keystone which is in the masonry arch carries the statement, “I am the way” and can be read from the front walkway.
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West Window - Easter Lilies
The Easter lily is a symbol of Easter and immortality. The bulb decays in the ground, yet from it new life is released.
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C. Northwest Narthex
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North Window - Small Variegated Stained Glass Windows
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D. Bell Tower
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The East, North and West sides of the bell tower each have a small variegated stained glass window.
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Note: Words in italics constitute the exact wording appearing on that particular stained glass window.
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