Colors in Stained Glass Windows have significant meaning. When you look at the windows think of what the colors are telling the observer as well as the pictured story.
White: Joy, Innocence, Purity, Faith, Life and Light
Red: Martyrdom, Passion of our Lord, Love and Suffering
Green: Life, Hope and Youth
Violet or Purple: Repentance (the union of love and pain), Suffering, Sorrow, Humility and Truth
Black: Death and Mourning
Blue: Symbol of Heaven, Sincerity and Piety
Clear Yellow: Goodness and Faith (When dingy yellow is used it denotes faithlessness, deceit, and jealousy
From An American Annual of Christmas Literature and Art , 1972, Augsburg Publishing House
Stained glass windows are beautiful pieces of art, but they also facilitate our worship by inviting us into the stories they tell and making the Scriptures come alive to us. When we look at the Good Shepherd holding the lamb, we may picture Jesus holding us. When we look at the crucifixion window, we may picture ourselves at the foot of the cross and be moved to confession and forgiveness. During Holy Communion we may use the Last Supper window in our prayerful preparation to meet Jesus at the Table. We hope that the preaching series this summer has helped to deepen our understanding of these windows as well as to deepen our worship and love for the Lord.
The Nativity:History: This window was given to the church by the Brooks Bible Class which originally had been started by Mrs Charles A. Brooks, the wife of Reverend Charles A. Brooks who had pastored Peoples in 1912. Mrs. Charles A. Brooks lived with her son in the parsonage of Peoples when he, Charles F. Brooks was pastor at Peoples from 1926-29. She passed away while living with her son and daughter in law. The window was dedicated to Ms. Julia Boltenhouse, a long time member of the class and her father Edwin Boltenhouse who had served in several capacities in church life. For many years the Sunday school held their annual picnics early in the 20th century at the Boltenhouse cottage at Pine Point. The Boltenhouse home at 155 High Street was left to the church upon the death of Julia in 1918 and for some time served the church as rental property before being sold in the early 1930’s. Ms. Boltenhouse was a public school teacher and served at the East High Street School. She also served as a long time Sunday school teacher. One of her students was Etta Woodbury Robinson.
Meaning: This window reveals the story of Jesus' birth, told in Luke 2:1-20. In this window we see Mary and Joseph, and the star shining from above that would guide the magi.
Boy Jesus in the Temple:
History: Given to Peoples by Meredith and Leland Trefethen in memory of Bernice
Trefethen, their sister. Both of these gentlemen were active members of Peoples and local businessmen. Both Meredith and Leland Trefethen owned and operated an automobile dealership and auto repair shop, located on the corner of Broadway and Cottage Road, where in recent times Pratt-Abbot Dry Cleaners has existed. In addition to the window the Trefethens also gave the pews that grace the sanctuary at 310 Broadway. 
The Good Samaritan:History: The Manter Class had been named after Zebulon Manter, an active member of Peoples Church from the early years of the 20th century. He had served in many capacities in church life including Steward and Trustee. He also served for a number of years as the Sunday School Superintendent. He and his wife owned the Manter farm located at the time on Mitchell Road across the Cape Elizabeth line. Many Sunday school picnics were held on the Manter farm. Mr. and Mrs. Manter were known to drive to church each Sunday in Ferry Village in their horse and buggy. In the eyes and hearts of Manter class members Zebulon Pike had served his church and community as a Good Samaritan.
Meaning: This window tells the story from Luke 10:25-37. The sacrificial love of the Samaritan is represented in the red robe, and the dingy yellow robes of the others who did not come to help represent their unfaithfulness.
The Parable of the Sower: This window was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. James Sutherland by their children, Karl
Sutherland and Lelia Sutherland Moore. Karl Sutherland was a member of Peoples having been a member of the Sunday school in the 1920’s. His Community gifts included serving in many capacities as a police officer in South Portland. Lelia Moore was active in all aspects of church life, but especially in women’s groups. She also served as the Cradle Roll keeper for over 30 years. She too was active with the Red Cross and nursing organizations including the group of nurses that sponsored the Well Baby Clinic that operated in Knightville for many years. Mr. and Mrs. James Sutherland both served in leadership at Peoples. Fannie as the leader of the Ladies Aid Society. Fannie also was the director of the Junior Department of the Sunday school. This is the only window in the sanctuary that does not feature Jesus as the focal point.
Jesus Preaching from the Boat: Dedicated in the memory of Doris Blake Campbell and given by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur W. and Etta Blake and Mr. Walter Campbell. Arthur Blake was the first member of the church to serve as Financial Secretary while the Treasurer became a separate function. Mrs. Blake could often be seen in the kitchen at many functions held at Peoples. Doris Blake Campbell was one of their daughters who married Walter Campbell. Tragically she died in childbirth. Both she and Walter had grown up in the church. Walter remained very active at Peoples while operating a grocery store in Ferry Village.
The Good Shepherd: Given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. William Studley. The list of members of the trustees in a booklet published for the Fiftieth Anniversary of Peoples included William Studley’s widow, Lucy. According to available church records Mrs. Studley was the first woman to have served in such a leadership role. It is believed that Etta Robinson “baby-sat” the Studley children when they were young. Mr. Studley and his family built the house that his family lived in on Pine Street. Later the home was purchased by Etta and George Robinson Sr. for their family home. In recalling her days in the house, Belle Graney said that the Robinson children all thought the house was haunted by the ghost of one of the Studley children, Willie, was purported to have committed suicide in the house. When it came time to purchase windows, Etta Robinson was on the committee and is believed to have convinced the remaining Studley offspring to dedicate this window to William and Lucy. 
The Garden of Gethsemene: Given anonymously. No information is available on the selection of this window and who may have paid for it. The stained glass window company in one of its sales brochures in the 1950’s featured two of the Peoples windows. This was one of the two.
The Last Supper: Given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Campbell by their children including Walter Campbell, Warren Campbell, Dora Campbell Ayres, Gertrude Campbell and Marion Campbell. Walter was mentioned in the dedication of Jesus in the Boat. His brother Warren became a pastor serving throughout New England for many years. His wife Martha was the sister of Walter’s wife, Doris, and the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blake. Their sister, Dora, married Philip Ayres who became a well-known Tenor singer in the Portland area. Doris at one point served as organist of Peoples. Gertrude and Marion both became secondary school teachers of English and Math respectively. Both taught for many years at South Portland High School.
The Crucifixion, Ascension and The Resurrection. There are more than 50 folks for whom this most significant grouping of windows at the back of the sanctuary are dedicated.
The Rose Window: Given in memory of John W. Woodbury by his wife, Leona. John was the sister of Etta Woodbury Robinson. Another brother would as an adult move to Vermont. As young people they were orphaned when John was four, Etta was 8 and Edward was 6. Their Grandparents brought them up. One set of grandparents lived on High Street and during the winters the children lived there. During the summers they lived with another set of grandparents on Orrs Island where the grandfather served as the lighthouse keeper on Half Way Rock. John was very active at Peoples serving in leadership roles in all areas, but especially as superintendent of a Sunday school that numbered over 300 members. He was the father of Harvey Woodbury and also (Roberta Woodbury) Woods. John was one of the founders and leaders of Maine Steel off lower Mussey Street. Eventually that business was better known as Portland Copper and eventually Rockwood Industries. This window was the other window featured in a brochure of the stained glass window company. Interestingly, the company claimed that the window was located in a church in Dallas, Texas but there was no denying the dedication to John W. Woodbury at the bottom of the window.
Meaning: The alpha-omega sign is perhaps most significant in this window theologically, representing the eternal work of Christ "who was, and is, and is to come" as revealed in Revelation 21. In addition, the Chi-Rho is an early Christian symbol that represents the first two Greek letters of the word Christ. The ornate background facilitates worship and meditation, but only of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is central in the window.
Other significant stained glass windows at the entrance of the church
Founders Window: The Founders of the Church are honored in the stained glass window above the main entrance to the church. The date of founding was 1853 and the names that appear in the window include: Stephen Hubbard, John Robinson, J.W. Pillsbury, Levi Strout, Caleb Loveitt, Jeremiah C. York, and Joseph Thurston. The John Robinson that was listed as a founder of peoples was no direct relation to the John Robinson for whom the Peace and Easter windows in the foyer are dedicated.
Vine of Life: Dedicated to the work and lives of Walter and Helen Winchenbach. Walter was the founder of the Portland Rubber Company and found solace in his dedicated work at Peoples. He was extremely active in assisting finiancial projects of the church. It may have been the influence of the Winchenbachs that led to the choice of property for the present location of the church as they lived nearby on Mussey Street. Helen was also active in many of the groups including the Brooks Bible class and Ladies Aid that in time became the Women’s Society of Christian Service. She was especially involved in both local and foreign mission projects. Their children, Richard, Priscilla and Robert were responsible for initiating and dedicating this welcome addition around the Founders window.
Dove of Peace and Easter Windows: Given in Memory of John Robinson by the family. John was one of the sons of Etta and George Robinson and the brother of George Jr., Betty (McGouldrick), Belle (Graney), and Henrietta (LaRue). John was married to Kathleen Christiansen and together they had two daughters, Johann and Martha. Belle described her brother with the following words: “John was one of the most wonderful men that ever lived.”
He served the church in many capacities, but most often he would be remembered by young and old alike as a caring and dedicated usher every Sunday.
These windows were crafted by and acquired through the Phoenix Glass store in Portland. Ms. Jane Croteau was the designer and developer of these beautiful and lasting memorials to John Robinson.
While this series of vignettes are exclusively related to the windows of Peoples many other memorials to the saints of Peoples can be found throughout the Peoples buildings as well as the sanctuary.
No comments:
Post a Comment