The Apostles’ Windows
The Apostles’ Windows, produced by the Wilett Stained Glass Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, line the sanctuary.
Concepts were proposed and worked out between Henry Lee Wilett, Rev. Dr. Paul Wassenich and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Bash of UCC, and the UCC Construction Committee, chaired by O.B. Douglas. The windows were designed by Marguerite Gaudin, senior designer at the Wilett Stained Glass Company, and Ann Wilett Kellogg, then an apprentice.
Neither Judas Iscariot or James the Less (about whom little is known except his name) have windows.
A ship represents his trade as a fisherman and his missionary journeys.
The fish and boat hook recall his missionary travels with Jude as a fisher of people.
Three purses represent Matthew’s occupation as a tax collector before Jesus called him as a disciple. The axe represents his manner of death.
Per UCC history, this window is “purely decorative”. Thomas was the disciple who came to Jesus with doubts and who later confessed his faith (“My Lord and my God!”) after seeing the risen Jesus’ crucifixion wounds.
The flaying knife refers to his martyrdom by flaying.
(The pane above “God” is rotated 180 degrees. This happened during a restoration.)
Two fish can refer to several aspects of Andrew: his former occupation; his being called by Jesus to be a fisher of people; and his telling Jesus about the boy who had five loaves and two fish when Jesus fed the 5,000 (John 6:9).
(This window is not illuminated by the sun, but by 24 fluorescent light fixtures! The Education Wing closed off this window from the outside when it was built.)
Two large crossed keys symbolize the keys to the kingdom of heaven, as granted to Peter by Jesus in Matthew 16:19.
The serpent in a chalice refers to a legend from the 13th century tells about a pagan priest challenging John to drink a poisoned cup of wine to prove God’s power. John drank the wine and was unharmed. The serpent in a chalice represents the triumph of God.
The basket recalls Philip’s presence at the feeding of the 5,000 and his remark to Jesus in John 6:7.
The Tau cross represents Philip’s manner of death as a martyr.
Fleur-de-lis
- Beneath the windows is trim using the fleur-de-lis design.
- Origin of the design is unknown
- A fleur-de-lis representing the light of learning also appears on the Mace of Authority of The University of Texas, created in 1956. (See On Campus, The University of Texas at Austin, v. 26, No. 1, September 18, 1998.)
- This was painted all white until the 1990s restoration when they were painted with gold highlights.