The Windows of Westminster
“Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness,” teaches the Psalmist. From earliest. times, Christians have sought to respond to this Biblical call. Through architecture, painting, sculpture, music and poetry, artistic expressions of “the faith once given” have helped point to the truth and beauty of God which have always been beyond words. With the Scriptures as their guide, Christian artists have expressed their faith in the living Word of God and the glory of Christ’s Church.
“Beauty is the handmaiden of truth,” said Keats. Some of the most dramatic representations of the Christian faith have been conveyed through the medium of stained glass. This medieval art form has been kept alive through the centuries, allowing light to express “the love of God found in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Originally artisans used leaded glass to create their windows. In this century, they have also developed work with French faceted glass set in an epoxy-resin base. The windows of Westminster use this medium, with each piece of glass ranging from one to one-and- an-eighth inches in thickness, set in the sturdy five-eighths inch base. Facets are cut into the glass to permit light to be refracted more brilliantly through the windows.
The windows were installed in 1987, the year Westminster’s present sanctuary was dedicated. They are the work of the Willett Stained Glass Studio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Willett Studio is world renowned, as this Presbyterian family has been crafting stained glass for three generations. The concepts for the windows were worked out by our former Pastor, Todd B. Jones, in consultation with the Willett Studios. The designs were created especially for Westminster by Willett staff artists, and each window is unique.
The Windows of Westminster are the gift of a number of members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Through the generosity of the following people, the windows will glorify God and enhance our worship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit for years to come: Judge and Mrs. Randall T. Bell; Mr. and Mrs. David W. Blackwelder; Mr. and Mrs. James F. Carothers; Mrs, William McK. Davis; Mrs. John Leon Gasque; Judge and Mrs. C. Tolbert Goolsby, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Perry M. Hamilton; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald L. Jacobs; Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Moore, Jr.; Mrs. Thomas W. Stokes; Mr. and Mrs. James K. Wilson.
“Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”-Psalm 90:17
These web pages provides a description of the windows in the hope that they will serve as a source of inspiration and instruction in your journey of faith. Their intent is to glorify God and to enhance our worship and praise of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The main window which greets you upon entering the nave is the Chancel Window. Measuring twenty-eight feet in height and ten feet wide, the window depicts “the Cross at the Center of the Universe,” affirming the centrality of the cross of Christ in the life of the Church. The window is abstract, designed to create a sense of wonder and prayerful awe in the worshiper. The sunburst draws attention to the center of the cross, while the colors of the window deepen as you move away from the rich yellows, oranges and reds. The effect created is that of space, expanding from its source in the Crucified, Creator God.
THE NAVE WINDOWS
The ten windows in the nave of the sanctuary center around two themes: the five windows that run along the pulpit (north) side show the life of Christ, while those on the lectern (south) side tell the story of the Church. Starting in the back of the sanctuary on the pulpit side, the windows begin to tell the story of the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, “Jesus Christ.