CONTEMPORARY NY
UES094-B01.jpg (77299 bytes) New York Architecture Images-Upper East Side

Church Of The Holy Trinity (Episc)

architect

Barney & Chapman

location

316-332 East 88th Street, Bet. First And Second Aves.

date

Saint Christopher House, 1896-97; addition, 1897-99

style

French Gothic  

construction

 

type

Church

 

 
 
 

This French Gothic building at 316 East 88th Street (between 1st and 2nd Avenues) is surrounded by a small but lovingly maintained garden. Several benches line the tree-lined walk to the Church's main entrance, providing ample seating in the shade and views of the beds of ivy, roses, impatiens and blue hydrangeas. The pretty lawn in the center is the setting for classical music concerts on summer evenings.


Windows

The magic of the interior of the Church of the Holy Trinity is created 
by the large stained glass windows. They are translucent walls letting 
in daylight through multicolored filters, and accenting the verticals, 
a sense of soaring height is attained. 

There are 17 stained glass windows in the church, all memorials to 
various members of the Rhinelander family. Henry Holiday in England 
designed them, and he made them all except the west window which after 
his death was completed by his daughter from his designs. These 
windows are the only complete cycle of windows remaining by Henry 
Holiday, and Holy Trinity is one of the few churches in the world in 
which all the windows were designed by one man.

Stained glass is a misnomer; the windows are more the result of a 
process than a glass per se. They are produced by painting upon either 
clear or colored glass with metallic pigments which penetrate the glass 
when subjected to heat. The pieces of glass are then inserted into 
grooves in lead.

When the church was consecrated, only the 7 chancel windows, each 
representing two events in the life of Christ, were in place. Now in 
the church there is one decorative window, which connects to the Tower 
Room and is colored glass. Similar decorative designs had originally 
filled all the nave windows until they were replaced.

Installed next were the monumental transcept windows, illustrating the 
crucifixion and ascension of Christ. The remaining nave windows (13 
feet by 7 feet 6 inches) and the west window (at 15 feet by 24 (20?) 
feet) were donated by Rhinelander family members over the next 29 
years. 


Introduction

Stained-glass windows are divine writings that spread the clarity of 
the true sun, who is God, through the church, that is to say, through 
the heart of the faithful, bringing them true enlightenment.

The magic of the interior of the Church of the Holy Trinity is created 
by 
its spectacular stained glass windows. They bedazzle and overawe us 
with 
their glowing splendor and physical magnitude. And they fascinate us 
as 
their jewel-like colors constantly change depending on the light. 

The 17 stained glass windows in the church were all designed by Henry 
Holiday (1839-1927) in England. Holy Trinity is one of the few 
churches 
in the world in which all the windows were designed by one man, 
which gives us a unique stylistic homogeneity. We also have the only 
complete cycle of windows remaining by Henry Holiday and the most 
important and impressive set of windows from his late work.

Like a carpet or an embroidery stained glass windows appeal first of 
all 
as pattern, and only subsequently as narrative. Holiday loved 
beautifully rendered details, full-fleshed studies of the human figure, 
opulent 
costumes and dramatic situations. With these attributes, Holiday's 
narratives vividly give us a tour of the Bible. 

Clerestory Windows

A clerestory is an outside wall rising above an adjacent roof. There 
are 15 clerestory (an outside, glass wall) windows each measuring 
13 feet by 7 feet 6 inches. In the nave the clerestory windows on the 
south side of the church illustrate Old Testament figures and on the 
north New Testament.



1. Christ the King

West Window

20 feet by 15 with a stony arch-like frame, the west window has 15 
panels divided into three rows of five columns each.

The bottom row are representations of our earthly life and the middle 
row life in heaven or paradise. On the bottom row, from left to right, 
the first panel represents philosophy and poetry with a man holding a 
piece of parchment and the woman standing by his side and holding a 
stringed instrument. The next panel is science and agriculture 
portrayed by a man holding a telescope and a man and woman grasping 
firmly some agrarian implements. The central panel is the church and 
government represented by a man in ecclesiastical garb and a king and 
queen. 

The fourth panel symbolizes art and industry with an artist sitting 
with his brush and painting board; industry is shown by a woman holding 
some flax and a man clasping a hammer and some steel. The last panel 
is of music and mathematicsóa young woman is playing a violin while at 
her side sits a young man with ruffled brow and in his hands a long 
paper covered with geometrical figures.

The middle row pictures men, women and children strolling happily in a 
sort of Garden of Eden.

The top row of panels shows Jesus sitting, clothed in the robes of a 
ruling king, and holding the orb, the symbol of power. His angelic 
helpers stand on either side of the throne.

The highest part of the window, in the shape of a large four-leaf 
clover, has four small rosette windows each picturing a knight clad in 
armor.



2. Bell Tower Window (geometric design)

This window is a geometric design rather than a traditional narrative 
stained glass window. Behind this window is the bell tower. Since 
light will never shine through this window a more detailed design would 
not be visible.



3. Saint Mark, Lydia and Saint Barnabas

North (left) Nave Clerestory Windows - New Testament Windows

Saint Mark is seen holding a large book, the Gospel bearing his name. 
The inscription above Mark states, ìJohn whose surname was Mark.î Acts 
12:12 

Mark, a cousin of Barnabas, grew up in Jerusalem and may have witnessed 
some events in Jesusí life. He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the 
first missionary journey to Antioch, and according to tradition, Mark 
was Paulís interpreter in Rome, founded a church in Alexandria and 
became its first bishop. 

The actual authorship of the Book of Mark remains an enigma, but it is 
thought to be the earliest book and a source for both Matthew and Luke.

Lydia - Shown in the center panel, Lydia was one of Paulís first 
converts and inscribed above her ìthe person whose heart the Lord 
openedî. 

Acts 16:14-15 The Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said 
by Paul. And when she was baptized, with her household, she besought 
us, saying, ëIf you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to 
my house and stay.í And she prevailed upon us.

Barnabas - The inscription reads ìSon of Consolationî. Barnabas was an 
early convert to Christianity when Acts 4:32 Now the company of those 
who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of 
the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in 
common. Acts 4:36 Thus Joseph who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas 
(which means, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold 
a field which belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the 
apostlesí feet.

Encouragement may mean consolation or exhortation. Barnabas later 
accompanied Paul and then Mark in the early spread of the Christian 
gospel.



4. Peter, James and John

North (left) Nave Clerestory Windows - New Testament Windows

Peter is portrayed holding a book representing the fact that I and II 
Peter are attributed to him and a bunch of keys dangling from his hand, 
the symbol of Peter. 

Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and 
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you 
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The rosette window over Peterís head bears the inscription, ìCasting 
all your care on himî from I Peter 6-7 Humble yourselves therefore 
under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast 
all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you.

James -James, one of the first apostles, is shown in the garb of a 
penniless follower of Jesus, as the inscription implies ìThey forsook 
all and followed himî Luke 5:11 James was killed by King Herod.

John - The brother of James, and the disciple whom Jesus especially 
loved and to whom he entrusted his mother when he was being crucified. 
The book is a symbol that John was considered the author of the Gospel 
according to St. John. The inscription reads ìBeloved, let us love one 
another.î

Peter, James and John were the inner circle of disciples. They were 
the disciples with Jesus at the Transfiguration and at Gethsemane.



5. Saint Paul, Phebe and Saint Stephen

North (left) Nave Clerestory Windows - New Testament Windows

Saint Paul - Paul before he was converted on the Road to Damascus was 
called Saul; he was a zealous Jew and he persecuted Christians. He is 
portrayed holding in one hand a book representing his Epistles in the 
New Testament and in the other hand a sword as a symbol of the power 
and zeal of his missionary work. The inscription reads ìThe greatest 
of these is Charity.î [Charity also means love.]

I Corinthians 13:13 So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the 
greatest of these is love. 

Phebe - Known as the first deaconess of the church, she is shown 
holding a bowl of fruit, signifying her work as a deaconess. Her 
inscription reads, ìShe has been a succourer of many.î

Phebe is mentioned by Paul in Romans 16:1-2 I commend to you our 
sister Phebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may 
receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever 
she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of 
myself as well.

Phebe was a woman of means and in the early church a deacon and 
deaconess were the people who helped, particularly with providing food 
for widows, so that others could concentrate on preaching. They were 
probably recognized as leaders, though not yet as clergy. Phebe may 
well have taken Paulís letter to the Romans from Corinth to Rome.

Stephen - Saint Stephen was one of the first deacons and the first 
martyr of the Church. He is shown with a stone in one hand and a book 
in the other. They represent his martyrdom and his sermon. The 
inscription reads ìLord, lay not this sin to their charge.î 

Some from the synagogue instigated others against Stephen by saying ìWe 
have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.î Acts 
6:11. Rather than defend himself, Stephen recounted Israelís history 
focusing on Abraham, Joseph and Moses.

Acts 6:59-60 And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, ëLord Jesus, 
receive my spirit.í And he knelt down and cried with a loud voice, 
ëLord, do not hold this sin against them.í And when he had said this he 
fell asleep. And Saul was consenting to his death.



6. Ascension 

North Transept

In the main panels of the window, the figure of Christ is shown being 
received into Heaven by a host of angels. At the base of the picture 
are Christís 11 disciples with halos around their heads and other 
faithful followers.

In the tracery above the main window there is a small rosette window 
showing a woman praying. Directly above this is a small circular 
window containing a cross and the letters "XP", the abbreviation of the 
Greek word 
for Christ, and "AO" or Alpha-Omega, the first and 
last letters of the Greek alphabet. In the last book of the Bible, The 
Revelation to John 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord 
God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

To the left and right there are two more small rosette windows each 
showing two men holding books symbolizing the four Gospels and around 
the men are ribbons containing the first words of each Gospel. In the 
left rosette window are the words "The book of the generation of Jesus 
Christ" for Matthew's Gospel and "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus 
Christ" for Mark's Gospel. The window on the right has the 
inscriptions "For as much as many have taken in hand", the first words 
of the Gospel according to St. Luke, and "In the beginning was the 
word", the opening words of the Gospel according to St. John.



7. Nativity of Jesus and Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Chancel Windows - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Panel depicts the Nativity of Jesus Mary is holding the 
infant Jesus; shepherds are on the left and the Three Wise Men on the 
right are presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 
"Peace of Earth" is the message told by the 2 cherubs at the base of 
the picture.

Luke 2:13-14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the 
heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest 
heaven, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"

The Upper Panel: is the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple: Mary and 
Joseph are shown offering Jesus to the chief priests of the Temple. 

Luke 2:22 And when the time came for their purification according to 
the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to 
the Lord.



8. Jesus Teaching the Elders in the Temple and Baptism of Jesus by St. 
John the Baptist

Chancel Windows - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Panel shows Jesus with the Elders in the Temple in Jerusalem. 
When he was 12 years old, Jesus and his parents went to Jerusalem for 
the festival of Passover. Unbeknownst to his parents, he stayed behind 
when they left. 

Luke 2:46 After 3 days they found him in the temple, sitting among the 
teachers, listening to them and asking them questions;. and all who 
heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when 
they saw him they 
were astonished; and his mother said to him, ëSon, why have you treated 
us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.í 
And he said to them, ëHow is it that you sought me? Did you not know 
that I must be in my Fatherís house?í

The Upper Panel is the Baptism of Jesus: Jesus the central figure is 
seen arising from the water, while a dove, the symbol of the spirit of 
God, is shown descending on him. On the left is John the Baptist 
clothed with camelís hair and on the right 2 angels. 

Matthew 3:16-17 And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately 
from the water, and behold the heavens were opened and he saw the 
Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a 
voice from heaven, saying, ìThis is my beloved Son, with whom I am well 
pleased.î

In the small window above the main window are the words "Love" and 
"Joy"



9. Calling of the First Disciples and the Wedding feast in Cana.

Chancel Windows - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Panel portrays the Calling of the First Disciples: On the 
shore with Jesus are Andrew and his brother Peter; in the boat with 
their fishing nets are James and John and their father, distinguished 
from the others by his lack of a halo. 

Matthew 4:18-22 (also Mark 1:16-20) - As he walked by the Sea of 
Galilee, he 
saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter and Andrew his brother, 
casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And he said to 
them, ìFollow me, and 
I will make you fishers of men.î Immediately they left their nets and 
followed him. And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, 
James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee 
their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they 
left the boat and their father, and followed him.

The Upper Portion pictures the Wedding Feast in Cana. At the Wedding 
Feast in Cana the wine ran out and Jesus said to the servants (John 
2:7) "Fill the jars with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 
He said to them, "Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the 
feast." So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the 
water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the 
servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called 
the bridegroom and said to him, "Every man serves the good wine first; 
and when men have drunk freely, then the poor wine; but you have kept 
the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at 
Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed 
in him. 

In the rosette window above: "Peace" and "Longsuffering"



10. Central chancel window: Healing of Bartimaeus and Raising of 
Lazarus from the Dead

Central Chancel Window - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Panel shows The Healing of Bartimaeus - Jesus is shown in a 
crowd of sick people gathering around him and in the lower left corner 
is the blind beggar Bartimaeus. 

Luke 18:36-43 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this 
meant. They told him, ìJesus of Nazareth is passing by.î And he 
cried, ìJesus, Son of 
David, have mercy on me!î Those who were in front rebuked him to be 
silent; but he cried out all the more, ìSon of David, have mercy on 
me!î And Jesus 
stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, 
he asked him, ìWhat do you want me to do for you? He said, ìLord, let 
me receive my sight.î And Jesus said to him, ìReceive your sight; your 
faith has made you well.î And immediately he received his sight and 
followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, 
gave praise to God.

The Upper Panel is the Raising of Lazarus from the Dead

The upper panel tells the story of the raising of Lazarus who had been 
dead for 4 days before Jesus arrived. The body of Lazarus is seen 
coming out of the grave at the request of Jesus, while Mary and Martha, 
the sisters of Lazarus, look on in amazement.

John 11:40 Jesus said to her, ìDid I not tell you that if you would 
believe you would see the glory of God?î So they took away the stone. 
And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ìFather, I thank thee that thou 
hast heard me. I knew that thou hearest me always, but I have said 
this on account of the people standing by, that they may believe that 
thou didst send me.î When he had said this, he cried with a loud 
voice, ìLazarus come out.î The dead man came out, his hands and feet 
bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to 
them, "Unbind him, and let him go".



11. On the Mount and Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Chancel Windows - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Section portrays the Sermon on the Mount Jesus is shown 
seated on a rock preaching the Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:3-6 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be 
comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they 
shall be satisfied.

The Upper Panel depicts the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem Jesus is 
shown riding a donkey into Jerusalem.

Mark 11:8-10 And many spread their garments on the road, and others 
spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields. And those 
who went before and those who followed cried out, "Hosanna! Blessed is 
he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our 
father David that is coming! Hosanna in the highest!"

Above in the small rosette windows are the words "Gentleness" and 
"faith"



12. The Last Supper and Trial of Jesus Before Pontius Pilate

Chancel Windows - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Half shows Christ with his 12 disciples in the upper room. 
All of the disciples, including Judas, who is in the background just 
leaving the room, are represented although only the halo of one is 
visible. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is shown next to Jesus 
resting his head on his shoulder. 

John 13:23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to 
the 
breast of Jesus; so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, ìTell us who 
it is of whom he speaks.î So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, 
he said to him, 
ìLord, who is it?î Jesus answered, ìIt is he to whom I shall give this 
morsel when I have dipped it.î So when he had dipped the morsel, he 
gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after the morsel, 
Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ìWhat you are going to do, 
do quickly.î 

Matthew 26:26-29 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, 
and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, 
ìTake, eat; this is my body.î Then he took a cup, and after giving 
thanks he gave it to them, saying, ìDrink from it, all of you; for this 
is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the 
forgiveness of sins.î

The Upper Half depicts the Trial before Pilate. On the left is Pilate 
sitting on the judgment seat, while Jesus, held by soldiers, is facing 
him. 

Mark 15:2-5 Pilate asked him, ìAre you the king of the Jews?î And he 
answered him, ìYou have said so.î And the chief priests accused him of 
many things. And Pilate again asked him, ìHave you no answer to make? 
See how many charges they bring against you.î But Jesus made no further 
answer, so that Pilate wondered.

In the background can be seen the other prisoner, Barabbas, whom the 
people chose to be set free in place of Jesus. Matthew 27:21 ìThe 
governor again said to them, ìWhich of the two do you want me to 
release for you?î And they said, ìBarabbas.î

In the small windows above are the words ìMeeknessî and ìTemperanceî.



13. Mocking of Jesus and the Road to Calvary

Chancel Windows - Events in the Lfe of Jesus

The Lower Panel shows the Mocking of Jesus. Jesus is dressed in a 
purple robe, with a reed in his hand, and a crown of thorns on his 
head, standing in the Praetorium Hall being mocked by a crown of 
spectators. 

Matthew 27:28-31 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon 
him, and 
plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head and put a reed in 
his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying, 
ìHail, King of the Jews!î And they spat upon him, and took the reed 
and struck him on the head.

The Upper Panel depicts Jesus on the road leading to Calvary. Simon, 
the Cyreneon, is shown being forced to carry the cross for Jesus. 

Luke 23:26 And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, 
who was coming from the country, and laid on him the cross to carry it 
behind Jesus.î

In the center of the picture Jesus can be seen looking backward toward 
his mother and Mary Magdalene who had come out on the road to bid Jesus 
their last farewell. 

Luke 27 - And there followed him a great multitude of the people, and 
of women who bewailed and lamented him.

Above the main portion of the window is a ribbon bearing the words, ìHe 
was wounded for our transgressionsî Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.



14. Crucifixion

South Transept

In the main panel Jesus is seen fixed to the cross with the two thieves 
who were crucified with him on either side. On the left side Mary 
Magdalene, Mary, the mother of Jesus and Solome, the mother of James 
and John. In the lower right hand of the picture a group of Roman 
soldiers are shown casting lots for the garments of Christ. 

John 19:23 When the soldiers had crucified Jesus they took his 
garments and made four parts, one for each soldier; also his tunic. 
But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to Bottom; so they said 
to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose 
it shall be." This was to fulfill the scripture, "They parted my 
garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots."

The whole scene is surmounted by a host of angels praying and waiting 
to receive the soul of the crucified Christ.

In the tracery above the main portion of the window, there is a small 
window containing the symbol ìXPî, the abbreviation of Christís name in 
Greek. There are also four small cloverleaf windows which continue the 
story after the crucifixion. From the left to the right they portray 
Christ being taken down from the cross; Christ being placed in the he 
tomb; a soldier standing guard; and finally, Martha and Mary bringing 
spices for Christís body.

Matthew 27:57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from 
Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to 
Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be 
given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a lean linen 
cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. 

Matthew 27:65 Pilate said to them, ìYou have a guard of soldiers; go, 
make it as secure as you can.î So they went with the guard and made the 
tomb secure by sealing the stone.î

Mark 16:1 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene and Mary the 
mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so they might go and anoint 
him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had 
risen, they went to the tomb.



15. Elijah, Esther and Isaiah

South (right) Nave Clerestory Windows - Old Testament Windows

The prophet Elijah is shown calling on God to set fire to a sacrifice 
drenched with water. In I Kings 18 the prophets of Baal and the 
prophet Elijah each prepared a bull for sacrifice and lay it on wood; 
and Elijah, as the inscription reads, said "the God who answereth by 
fire, let him be God." In the window fire is falling.

I Kings 18:24. The prophets of Baal called on the name of Baal from 
morning until noon, saying, "O Baal, answer us!" But there was no 
voice, and no one answered. I Kings 18:26 Elijah then said, Answer 
me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that thou, O Lord, art 
God, and that thou hast turned their hearts back. Then the fire of the 
Lord fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the 
stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. I 
Kings 18:37-38

Esther was married to King Ahasuerus who did not know she was Jewish. 
He had been persuaded by Haman to decree that the Jews be massacred 
because ìtheir laws are different from those of every other people, 
and they do not keep the kingís lawsî Esther 3:8. The inscription 
reads ìLet my people be given at my requestî. King Ahasuerus asked 
Esther, ëWhat is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. 
And what is your request? Even to the half of my kingdom, it shall be 
fulfilled.î Then Queen Esther answered, ìIf I have found favor in your 
sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my 
petition, and my people at my request.î Esther 7:2-3.

Isaiah prophesied ca. 738 B.C.E. to 701 B.C.E. during the reign of 4 
kings. The inscription reads, ìThine eyes have seen the king, the Lord 
of Hostsî. The fourth Servant Song in Isaiah predicts the Servant 
(Messiah) would die in the place of the guilty to satisfy Godís 
judgment on sin.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:5-6



16. David, Saul and Samuel.

South (right) Nave Clerestory Windows - Old Testament Windows

Samuel is portrayed holding a law book and the inscription states "I 
will teach thee the good and the right way." I Samuel 12:23. Samuel 
was the last judge over Israel; when he was old, the people of Israel 
wanted a king. Samuel anointed Saul the first king over Israel, and I 
Samuel 10:25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the 
kingship; and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. 

Saul, a tall and earnest young man capable of leading Israel on the 
battlefield, is shown in full military raiment and the inscription 
above him reads: "The Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel." I 
Samuel 11:13

Having proven himself in battle, Saulís life began to unravel. He was 
condemned for failing to obey the prophetically mediated divine word of 
God and became an increasingly jealous and often irrational old king in 
conflict with young David to whom the Lord had promised his throne.

David followed Saul as king of Israel. Handsome, charismatic and 
endowed with extraordinary skills as a musician and soldier, David was 
consistently successful in everything because "The Lord is with him." 
The lion at his feet signifies that he was favored in the eyes of God 
and his skill as a musician is shown in the musical instrument he is 
carrying and the inscription above him reads, "Upon the harp will I 
praise Thee, O God."

The Davidic covenant established that his descendants would rule in an 
unending dynasty in Jerusalem.

Lamb on shoulders?



17. Abraham, Joseph and Moses

South (right) Nave Clerestory Windows - Old Testament Windows

Abraham is shown holding a knife and the inscription in the small 
window reads "By faith, when Abraham was tried, he offered up Isaac" 
(Hebrews 11:17). 

Genesis 22:1-2 After these things God Tested Abraham, and said to him, 
"Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Take your son, your only 
son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him 
there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall 
tell you." 

Genesis 22:10-13 Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife 
to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, 
and said, ëAbraham, Abraham!í And he said, "Here as I". He said, "Do 
not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that 
you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, 
from me." And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind 
him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and 
took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.

The center panel shows Joseph, Abraham's great grandson, who was sold 
into slavery by his brothers. He was taken to Egypt where because he 
was able to interpret Pharaohís dreams, he was appointed ruler of 
Egypt. The window shows Joseph wearing the robes of an Egyptian ruler 
and the inscription over him says "Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have set 
thee over all Egypt." Genesis 41:41.

Joseph saved Egypt from a famine and Egypt became a haven for people 
escaping famine. At Josephís request, his father Jacob and his family 
moved to Egypt to survive a drought. They grew into the nation of 
Israel living in Egypt 430 years until the exodus.

Moses is shown with his face bowed down and the inscription reads 
"Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God." 

Exodus 3:2-6 And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of 
fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and lo, the bush was 
burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, "I will turn aside 
and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt." When the Lord 
saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, 
"Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here am I". Then he said, "Do not come 
near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are 
standing is holy ground." And he said, "I am the God of your father, 
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses 
hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.



18. Tubal Cain, Enoch and Noah

South (right) Nave Clerestory Windows - Old Testament Windows

Tubal Cain is shown at his work bench with his tools making a brass jar 
and in the rosette window above his head the inscription says "an 
instructor of artifices in brass and iron". 

Genesis 4:22 Zillah bore Tubal Cain; he was the forger of all 
instruments of bronze and iron.

Enoch is depicted being lifted directly from earth to heaven. The 
inscription above him reads "He was not for God took him." (Genesis 
5:24) The atypical wording suggests something other than death.

Genesis 5:25 Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see 
death; and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he 
was taken he was attested as having pleased God.

Noah is shown holding a chest (ark is derived from a word meaning chest 
or box) as a symbol of God's mercy and deliverance from the great 
flood; the inscription says, "Noah found favor in the eyes of God" 
(Genesis 6:8)

Genesis 6:6-8 And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the 
earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, ìI will blot 
out man whom I have created from the face of the ground, man and beast 
and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have 
made them.î But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Genesis 9 for Christ, and "AO" or Alpha-Omega, the first and last 
letters of the Greek alphabet. In the last book of the Bible, The 
Revelation to John 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord 
God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Genesis 9:11 God said to Noah I establish my covenant with you, that 
never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and 
never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth

To the left and right there are two more small rosette windows each 
showing two men holding books symbolizing the four Gospels and around 
the men are ribbons containing the first words of each Gospel. In the 
left rosette window are the words "The book of the generation of Jesus 
Christ" for Matthewís Gospel and "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus 
Christ" for Mark's Gospel. The window on the right has the 
inscriptions "For as much as many have taken in hand", the first words 
of the Gospel according to St. Luke, and "In the beginning was the 
word", the opening words of the Gospel according to St. John.


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