Stained Glass Windows: An Essay: With a Report to the Vestry on Stained Glass Windows for Grace Church Lockport New YorkFaber, William Frederic
Religion
Stained Glass Windows: An Essay: With a Report to the Vestry on Stained Glass Windows for Grace Church Lockport New York
Faber, William Frederic
Glass painting and staining; Grace Episcopal Church (Lockport, N.Y.)
It seems to me that this is the moment supremely opportune for us to
inaugurate a scheme of window treatment such as shall glorify our house
of God more and more till it reaches completion. How long it may take
to reach completion is in a sense immaterial. That we should begin now,
and make every step a right one, is the great matter.
The practical question is, Shall we choose to admit one or a few
striking windows into this edifice, windows which may have no relation
to each other, produced possibly by methods or on principles entirely
at variance, in color-schemes discordant, in scale of drawing entirely
dissimilar and unequal: or shall we guide intending donors to such
gifts as shall be a satisfaction and a delight forever, beautiful
each in itself, but more beautiful still when assembled? This I take
it is the question. For I believe windows will be placed, whether we
encourage it or not, within a decade, possibly much sooner. And when
I put the question thus, it appears to me there is but one answer
possible.
Let us then get down to the practical details in the matter. Leaving
the great chancel window entirely out of consideration, we have five
pairs of lancets of equal size on either side of the nave, and a sixth,
smaller pair over the doors in continuation of the series up to the
chancel. We have further, the magnificent group of three lancets at the
foot of the nave, with a fourth lancet a little smaller, and still much
larger than those in the pairs already referred to.
Here is a considerable number of windows――twenty-nine when we count
in the chancel window; what an opportunity for discord and artistic
anarchy! Let us say, rather, what a remarkable and rare opportunity for
the production of a rich and hallowed splendor, fitted not only to
express the consecration of man’s gifts to God, but to instruct the
minds and quicken the devotions of generations to come.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account