OUT OF DARKNESS

Of course one of the main architectural features of our beautiful church building are the original stained glass windows.  The male saints are on the west side and the female saints are on the east side.  If you have been inside at different times of the day you have seen that the sun can really highlight the colors and textures of the glass, creating stunning portraits of the saints. 

During the 1950's there was hope that a school could be built and that dream became a reality in 1952.  The decision was made to construct it on the east side of the property and join the buildings together with a convent.

The connection of  buildings  blocked the sunlight from two of the original windows and one of them was modified to be positioned above the door.  Over the years there has been an attempt to backlight the windows with fluorescent tubes. The light didn't look natural and it was complicated to change the bulbs when they burned out.  And of course, someone had to remember to turn on (and off!) the switches.

Our Project 2017 lighting designer worked on finding a natural looking solution that would mimic sunlight.  Our electrician installed LED rope lighting behind the windows and came up with the idea of putting them on timers so that the light comes on in the morning and turns off at dusk.  



Before

After

This window is of St. Catherine of Sienna, the patroness of Italy.  She was canonized in 1461 and was named a Doctor of the Church in 1970.  She is holding a feather pen and a book--these indicate her writings and the fact that she is a Doctor of the Church.  The dagger through her heart symbolizes her great love for Christ.

St. Helena graces the window over the door to the breezeway. Born in Bithynia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), circa 248, St. Helena was married to Roman Emperor Constantius and had a son who would become Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to become a Christian. St. Helena, who converted as well, oversaw the construction of churches on Holy Land sites. She would later be credited with discovering the cross upon which Jesus Christ is believed to have been crucified. St. Helena died circa 328 in Nicomedia (present-day Turkey).   She was known for her kindness to the poor. 

Each window tells a story.  Would you be interested in learning more about the saints and symbols of our church?  We will soon be offering church tours and literature.  If you would like to volunteer to be a docent or help to work on a brochure, please contact Martha at stewardship@sfdslg.org.