STAINED GLASS WINDOWS
This book is made possible by Gladys Evans McCartney and is dedicated to: F. Howard McCartney her husband, who was a Deacon 1946-1953 and an Elder from 1953 until his death on August 1, 1964 Mary Thomas Van Arsdell McCartney Howard's mother (referred to as Miss Mary), Co-author of first book on Flemingsburg Christian Church history Isaac Van Arsdell Miss Mary's father, who was an Elder 1872-1918 and was very involved in the church's additions. Acknowledgements Photography - Eldon McCartney Layout design - Sidney McCartney Day Commentary - Amye Day Also, special thanks to Rev. Norman Wasson and Jack Day for their research assistance. Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS Lilies Page 4 Back of Sanctuary Page 6 Choir Loft Page 10 \ Jesus Page 14 Baptistery Page 16 East Water Street Page 17 Sanctuary Page 18 Doors Page 19 Bell Tower Page 20 Upstairs Sunday School Page 21 Ladies' Parlor and Study Page 22 Old Entrance on East Water Street Page 24 Church in 1896 Page 25 Downstairs Sunday School Page 26 Hallway Page 27 Sources Reqardinq Common Symbolism in Stained Glass: Charles J. Connick's "The Language of Stained Glass" Walter E. Cast's "Symbols in Christian Art and Architecture" United Methodist Church of Belton, Missouri Trinity Episcopal Church of Covington, Kentucky Collver Designs Page 3
< 1FLEMINGSBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCH LILIES The Lilies window is a symbolic testimony to the life journey of Jesus Christ. The STAR The five-pointed star represents the star of Bethlehem that guided the Three Wise Men to the small town, in order that they could worship the Christchild. The ROSES The roses symbolize both the beginning and the end of Jesus' life. Placed at the bottom of the window, as if they were the roots from which the lilies spring forth, the roses remind us of Jesus' virgin birth and his fated martyrdom. The PALMS The events of Jesus' glorious entrance into Jerusalem are remembered by the palms that frame the lilies. "So they took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet him, crying 'Hosanna! Blessed Page 4
is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!'" John 12:13. The LILIES The lilies remind us of Christ's glorious resurrection from the dead. This flower came to symbolize the resurrection because its bulb is buried within the ground and blooms in the spring during Easter time. The whiteness of the lily also captures the cleansing and purifying of sins that the risen Lord brings us. In memory of my beloved wife Alice McCreary Evans Alice McCreary Evans, a naf;ve of Poplar Plains, was bom on January 18, 1848 and died, April 23,1897. She was married to A.H.Evans, who was the Fleming County Clerk for a number of years. Page 5
BACK OF SANCTUARY
1=FLEMIIMGSBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCH The windows in the back of the sanctuary possess three important symbols: the open Bible, a flying dove, and the cross inside a crown. Together, the three outline the life of a faithful Christian. The BIBLE The open bible symbolizes the Word of God, given to teach us and inspire us in our walk with Christ. In memory of E. E. Pearce & Anna J. Pearce E Pearce was born on Augusts, 1822 and died March 18, 1896. He was president of the Fleming County National Bank, which became the Deposit Bank of Pearce, Fant and Company. Anna J. Pearce was bom on April 4, 1838 and died on October 4, 1878. These windows were given to the church by their children. Page 7
BACK OF SANTUARY The DOVE The Dove expresses the presence of the Holy Spirit that is conferred upon us at baptism. The dove carries this symbolism because Luke 3:21-22 tells us that "Jesus also was baptized [and] while he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down upon him in bodily form like a dove." The dove also reminds us of the purity and cleansing of sins brought about by baptism. PageS
The CROSS and CROWN The cross inside the crown symbolizes the heavenly reward bestowed upon those that have faith in the risen Lord. As Christ says in Revelation 2:10, "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." The cross and crown are encircled by a gold band. Not only does gold reinforce the notion of heavenly treasures that will come to the believer, but also the gold band symbolizes eternity. The circle around the cross and crown, as well as those around the Bible and the dove, remind us that God's kingdom has no beginning and no end. To the left and above are two examples of fleur-de-lis. Fleur-de-lis are stylized lilies common to many stained glass windows. They are said to represent the Holy Trinity. Page 9
4FLEMINGSBURG CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHOIR LOFT Page 10