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The
stained glass windows at the Chapel of Saint Andrew depict
the story of the Bible in two panels. The windows were
created by Willet studios of Philadelphia, one of the oldest
and most prestigious stained glass windows companies in the
United States.
The
left panel depicts events from the Old Testament. The right
panel depicts events from the New Testament. If read in a
counter-clockwise order from the top left, the windows form
a narrative of the biblical story, from Genesis to
Revelation. The windows may also be read from left to right,
so that each panel in the Old Testament side points to its
fulfillment in the corresponding New Testament panel.
Finally, the rainbow in the Noah’s Ark and Creation panels
arches in a clockwise direction to its end in the Heavenly
Jerusalem at the top of the New Testament panel. A large
wooden cross provides a focal point between the two
panels and uniting the scenes of the Old and New
Testaments in a single field of vision.
The Creation
The creation of the heaven and
earth is depicted in the brilliant colors of the first
light. Palm trees, dolphins, alligators, and turtles
suggest the flora and fauna of Florida. The dove of
the Holy Spirit is seen, and the rainbow arches toward
the completion of creation in the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Noah’s Ark
This panel depicts the moment
when the animals emerge from the ark, after the flood.
Human sin had threatened to plunge creation back into
the waters of chaos, but two of each species are saved
from the waters in the ark, an ancient arch-type of
the Church. The animals are seen moving joyously
toward the Peaceable Kingdom of the opposite panel.
The Exodus
Noah, Aaron, and Miriam are seen
leading the people of Israel from slavery to freedom.
The pyramids of Egypt can be seen in the distance.
Aaron, the priest, carries a lost sheep. Moses appears
as the liberator of the people. The panel depicts the
moment when Miriam and the women take up tambourines,
and sing, “Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously.
The people are looking forward toward the call to
discipleship and service in the opposite panel.
The Heavenly Jerusalem
The Bible begins in a garden, and
ends in the Heavenly City of the New Jerusalem, where
the glory of the nations will be revealed in a city
with streets of gold, representing the abundance of
God’s love and grace. The brilliant colors suggest
the glory of God.
The Peaceable Kingdom
Jesus is seen gathering children
from many nations into a peaceable kingdom to be
nurtured in the knowledge and love of the Lord. The
lion and lamb lie down together, in fulfillment of Old
Testament prophecies. The presence of children remind
us of Jesus’ saying, “Let the children come to me,
for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven. The peaceable
kingdom reminds us of the aims of education.
The Call of Saint Andrew
The brothers Andrew and Peter are
seen hauling in a great catch of fish, after Jesus has
told them to go out into the deep once more, and
“let down your nets.” Their faces reflect the
wonder of recognition of Jesus the Messiah. Jesus
stands on the shore, calling them to become fishers of
men, as his disciples. The great quantity of fish
represents the spiritual riches of service, and the
abundance of the Kingdom of God.
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