Christianity: Stained-Glass Windows

Critics argue that such funds, which are often used for the purpose of constructing or decorating extravagant cathedrals, ought to be used solely for the benefit of the poor and needy. In contrast, Fr. Havens expressed that all things which are good and beautiful glorify God and He has given us talents of creativity and craftsmanship that we may glorify Him. In other words, places of worship are constructed and beautified so ornately, not necessarily to be lavish or to abuse donations, but because giving and doing one’s best represents strong devotion to God and willingness to remember Him always. Our best and most beautiful creations can emphasize God’s eternal capacity to create, to organize and create life and meaning where there was only unorganized matter

The Christian religion finds its foundation on the Word of God and the work of Jesus Christ. Christianity finds its beginnings with Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down to earth to teach, heal, and die for the sins of humanity. When God created man, he openly rebelled against God, causing a rift in their relationship. Since humans cannot save themselves, a perfect and completely innocent sacrifice was necessary in order to purify and restore mankind. Christianity is all about Jesus’ death and resurrection, as well as denying oneself and following Christ.

The stained glass windows, given in memory of loved ones, commemorate the history of the church and St. Simons Island. There is a window designed by Tiffany, some depict biblical scenes, while others show the history of the island, but, the most impressive is the biggest window of all. A large stained window, made in Germany in 1899, and dedicated to the memory of Reverend Anson Green Phelps Dodge, Jr., who rebuilt Christ Church. One interesting fact learned on this adventure is that Rev. Dodge’s wife, Anna Gould, remains buried under the pulpit of the church today.

offer benefit in a situation that is commonly adverse. The splendor comes from seeing that God

There are 12 stained glass windows that are each designed around the twelve homely virtues. These twelve include: Learning, Virility, Courage, Patriotism, Justice, Faith, Determination, Love, Obedience, Loyalty, have Integrity, and Tolerance. They also have symbolism for branches of the U.S. Militiary and religion. The windows are multi colored enormous pieces of art above all the names. At the top of each window there is a Gold Star to go with the name of the Hall. The hall got its name because during World War One families would put blue stars in their windows to show that someone in their family was in the service. If a life was lost the family would change the star from blue to

"Cathedral" is a short story ultimately about enlightment, finding something more meaningful and deeper with in one self. Although from an observing point of view nothing more in the story happens then a blind man assisting the narrator in drawing a cathedral. Although as known, the narrator's experience radically differs from what is actually "observed". He is enlightened and opened up to a new world of vision and imagination. This brief experience will have a life long effect on him. The reason for this strong and positive effect is not so much the relationship made between the blind man and the narrator or even the actual events leading up to this experience, but rather it is mostly due to what was drawn by the narrator.

The kids will begin with a blank piece of white construction paper roughly around 12x18 inches. The kids will then be allowed to glue on various shapes in various colors and sizes in order to create their stained glass window. The kids will be given black strips of paper as well in order for them further their design. There will be an example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s windows at every table but the children will be encouraged to use their own imagination and create their own design.

As I write this post, a recent memory springs up in my mind. Earlier this year, my dad had an art show at the Steffen Thomas Museum focused on Christian Art. One afternoon, Chris and I decided to go over there so I could look at his show. I am always amazed at my dad's art and this was no exception. As we went from painting to painting, I could not imagine the countless hours he spent on each one of these paintings.

Romanesque sculpture were often incorporated their art on the outside of the building. Not only was architecture important that it wasn’t gospel literature that would move the people but how they often felt before entering the building.

The white, wood-framed structure with its stained glass windows and steeple has been a place where those of all ages have been welcomed for more than 12 decades, gathering to meet and worship.

For being over eight hundred years, the Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists remained in remarkable condition. However, pieces of the original piece, which originated in the Catalan chapel in Spain, have faded. Portions, especially along the bottom, have disappeared over time. Even though historians moved it to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, it has not been fully restored. The artist identified each of the apostles in the Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists, but the writing has grown fainter and this creates a difficulty for art historians. Another key factor in the overall story represented has faded--one of the lamps or incense holders beneath Christ.

Over the past years of my life I have seen many changes, some for the good and others not as good. Change can be demanding and also crucial. The early believers would encounter this. One can see that significant change happened, when reading through the gospels and the book of acts it is obvious to the reader that the believers who followed Jesus would never be the same again.

The increase of wealth during the twelfth century allowed artists to showcase their talents in churches. The apse titled Christ in Majesty with Symbols of the Four Evangelists in the church of Santa Maria de Mur displays the representation of divinity through its subject matter, technique, and style. In the apse, the main subjects revolve around scenes from the Old and New Testament with Christ as the focal point. For technique, the artist employed fresco painting instead of mosaics to show the images. The style of the apse avoids a sense of realism by hiding the bodies of the figures in the drapery and using the hierarchy of scale.

St. Peter Claver was a humble looking church, without the towering spires or detailed architecture that some churches possess in order to fill you with worshipful awe. In fact, it would have been almost unrecognizable as a church if it were not for the relatively small silver cross that hung above the door, not even raised above the line of the roof. Walking into the church did not change the sense of humility that the outside professed. Dark wood lined the walls and floor, and made up the pews. It felt almost like stepping into a cabin that had been built in the 1970’s. Along the walls there were small portrait sized depictions of the fourteen stations of the cross. Unlike St. Agnes’s eye catching and baroque decorations, St. Peter Claver’s artwork almost blended into the background, and was not immediately visible. It appeared that the artwork mirrored the nature of the building itself, almost as if the church wanted to dispense with frivolity and maintain its focus on the practice of its faith.

Stained glass has played a major role in reflecting Christianity’s beliefs because of the multitude of uses it has in a church. Stained glass windows are used in Christianity to represent and provide a visual picture for the Bible and the lives of Saints. The windows also serve the church by letting light from outside in. According to members of the Gothic church, when the light enters through the stained glass it becomes divine light and is the light of God. The divine light in the church symbolized the spirit of God. Because stories were depicted