Our Stained Glass Windows

Pentecost

The Pentecost window is located in the narthex at the entrance of the church and is the largest of the series of windows. It is comprised of 56 sections of glass. The stained glass is covered on the outside with a shield of tempered glass to protect it from severe weather and vandalism. Unlike the other windows in the series, the Pentecost window is not designed in mirror image. However, except for the doves, the two sides are very similar.

Pentecost (also known as Whitsunday) commemorates both the ascension of Jesus and the descent of the Holy Spirit. The name comes from the Greek word meaning "fiftieth" because Pentecost occurred on the fiftieth day after the start of Passover. On that day the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles while they were gathered in prayer following the ascension of Jesus into heaven. Its power strengthened the apostles, making them more courageous and zealous than they had been before.

The red, orange, and yellow flames in the stained glass represent the Holy Spirit as tongues of fire, as in Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. The flames of the Holy Spirit move outward from the cross with energy, whirling and circling to spread the Holy Word into the world.

The dove is also used as a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, "Thou art my beloved son; with thee I am well pleased."

There are seven doves in the Pentecost window, representing the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. These are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. The list of gifts is taken Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. A different translation adds piety to the list.

The center post of the large window is incorporated into the cross by use of black glass on either side of it. When one looks back at the window into the light, the darkness of the post and the black glass appear to form the cross. It is surrounded by a glowing light.

The flames of the Holy Spirit continue around into the edge of the Advent windows, showing how one season moves into the next. On close observation, one can see that each window's season merges into the next season by the subtle use of line, color, object, or background.

Red is the color of Pentecost.