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The Stained Glass Windows of Union Church
The beautiful art glass windows that grace our sanctuary have been designed and placed in such a way as to convey the progressive revelation of God to His people throughout the Bible. The artist has skillfully combined the central themes of the Bible with the portrayal of the persons who best represent them. In addition, the top area of each window presents an appropriate Christian symbol. The progression is from the front to the nave on the west back and around to the front of the nave to the east.
Adam depicts the fall of man into sin from the state of grace in which God had created him. The forbidden fruit of temptation is symbolized.
Abraham personifies the limits to which devout faith may take a person in response to God’s command. The all-seeing eye represents God’s presence everywhere.
Moses received the Law of God, which is our instructor in the true way of life. The burning bush through which God called Moses into His service is symbolized.
David the poet and King of Israel is the one to whom the kingly line of Christ is traced. This is symbolized by a cross superimposed on the house of David.
Isaiah is perhaps the outstanding of all of God’s prophetic spokesman. Binds the Old Testament and the New Testament together with is prophecies of the coming Messiah. The cross superimposed on the book conveys the sense of his unique mission.
The Christ Child with his adoring earthly parents tells of the greatest event in human history, as God became flesh and dwelt among us. The star above was both an announcement and a guide.
The boy Christ in the temple depicts one scene in the boyhood of Christ as God becoming flesh and dwelling among us. (Luke 2:52). The open Bible and cross symbolize Christ as the Word and as the Savior.
The Baptism of Jesus marked God’s approval and commissioning of His son for His service. Just so the Holy Spirit, as a descending dove, purges and equips repentant hearts for Christian discipleship.
The Rich Young Ruler reminds us of all those who are unwilling to give themselves completely to Christ. The money bags and the Chi Rio (for Christ) symbolize the choice he had to make.
The Sermon on the Mount was our Lord’s formal teaching of the Way, the Truth, and the Life, for his disciples. The heart, superimposed on an anchor, represents the steadfastness of the heart that is grounded in Christ Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper portrays the institution of that Blessed Sacrament; the fruit of the vine symbolizes our relationship to our Lord.
The Lord in Prayer in Gethsemane reveals the elements of petition and submission to God’s will that mark every sincere prayer. The cup of the new covenant filled with His blood for His disciples is pictured above.
The Crucifixion of Jesus, the tragedy which God turned to triumph, is the only way through which God’s forgiving mercy toward sinners could be secured. The orb, topped with a cross, testifies to the victory of the cross over the world.
The Resurrection of Jesus from death’s entombment to God’s guarantee of His supreme power over death and evil is once and for all. The lilies symbolize the immortal life of which all true believers are assured.
The World Missions window is in the overflow room to the west. It depicts the church at work bringing the good news to people of all nations. The cross and crown symbolize the kingdom of God.
The Ascension window in the overflow room to the east depicts the Great Commission (Matt 28:19). The eye symbolizes the constant presence of the Comforter or Holy Spirit.
The Chancel window receives the morning light from the east and affords a golden glow to the chancel.
The Cross window in the balcony will be lighted at night. The triangle is symbolic of the trinity.
The windows were produced by the Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios, with the art work and coloring done by Mr. Milcho Silanoff. Mr. Silanoff’s heritage is Macedonian, which adds to his creative craftsmanship. He was in his tenth year as a window designer when the strained glass windows were created. His work gives evidence of great strength and is expressive of the creative contemporary period in which we live today.
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