Installed 1987

          The eleven stained glass windows in the sanctuary were commissioned by the Special Gifts and Endowment Fund committee in 1986.  Wiley Jones, a local stained glass craftsman, designed and fabricated these beautiful windows.   All of the windows are the same design with different symbols in the circle in the upper part of the window.

The Cross of the Presbyterian Church

          The window by the rear entrance is fashioned after the new seal of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America.  The basic symbols of Celtic Cross, Scripture, dove and flames are separate elements but interact providing different levels of meaning.  Two center lines of the cross portray an open book, the Bible.  The upper section of the cross transforms into the shape of a descending dove--symbol of the Holy Spirit--and flows into the Bible.  Beneath this image is the suggestion of a lectern which captures the role of preaching in the history of Presbyterian worship.  The slightly flared shaped of the cross with the flames at the bottom form a triangle, the traditional symbol of the Trinity as well as the nature of Presbyterian government.  The flames convey a double meaning (God speaking to Moses from the burning bush as well as Christ appearing to his disciples at Pentecost).  Study the symbol to glean other meanings.

The Hand of God

          The upraised hand within the circle is the symbol of god the Father, representing the idea of benediction.

2 Corinthians 13:13

          The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

The Dove

          The dove is the symbol of the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit.  The dove appears in the baptism of Christ and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  In general usage the dove also represents the human soul and is a common symbol for peace.

Matthew 3:16

          As soon as Jesus was baptized, he came up out of the water.  Then Heaven was opened to him, and he saw the spirit of God coming down like a dove and lighting on him.

The Cross and the Crown

          The crown is an emblem of victory, honor and sovereignty.  Together with the cross it symbolizes the reward of the faithful in the life after death to those who believe in the crucified Savior.

Revelation 21:4

          He will wipe away all tears from their eyes.  There will be no more death, no more grief or crying or pain.  The old things have disappeared.

The CHI RHO in the Circle

        The symbol for Christ is shown within the symbol for eternity, signifying the eternal existence of Christ.  The Alpha and Omega, Greek letters representing the beginning and the end, further denote the eternal existence of Christ.

Revelation 1:8

          "I am the first and the last," says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

The Grapes and Wheat

          Shown together, the grapes and wheat signify Holy Communion.  The grapes allude to the wine which represents the blood of Christ; the wheat relates to the bread which symbolizes the body of Christ.  Holy Communion is the ceremonial re-enactment of the Last Supper.

1 Corinthians 11:24-25

          "This is my body, which is for you.  Do this in memory of me."

          "This cup is God's new covenant, sealed with my blood.  Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me."

Praying Hands

Matthew 6:9-15

          Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.  A-men

                                 -King James Version

The Intertwining Circles

          The concept of three Persons incorporated in one God is the central dogma of the Christian church.  The three intertwining circles indicate the doctrine of equality, unity, and the eternal nature of the Trinity, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit; three composed into one whole.  The visit of three men to Abraham in the Old Testament is considered a prophecy of the Trinity, since Abraham saw three figures but addressed only one.

The Fish

          The Greek initials for Jesus Christ, son of God, Saviour, IXOYC spell out the word fish in Greek (ichthus).  The fish was used by the persecuted early Christians to identify themselves as believers.  To the uninitiated the fish was merely a decoration, to the Christian it was a secret sign of his faith.

Matthew 4:19

          Jesus said to them, "Come with me, and I will teach you to catch men."

Two Candlesticks

          The lighted candlestick reminds us of Jesus' words, "I am the light of the world," and is a symbol of individual life.  Two candles shown together represents the two-fold nature of Jesus, human and divine.

John 1:4-5

The word was the source of life, and this life brought light to mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.

The Ship

          As an Old Testament reference, the ship stands for Noah's Ark.  In general, the ship symbolizes the Church and is often shown with Christ at the helm.  The central portion of the church, the "nave", is derived from the Latin word for ship.

John 6:20-21

"Don't be afraid"  Jesus told them, "it is I!"  Then they willingly took him into the boat and immediately the boat reached land.