STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

Chancel
Colorful stained glass window in a church setting with wooden paneling below.
Chancel
Nave 1 (Nativity)
Nave 2 (Jesus Heals the Sick)
Nave 3 (The Woman at the Well)
Nave 4 (Crucifixion)
Nave 5 (Resurrection)
Nave 6 (Pentecost)
Narthex
Transept Lower
Transept Upper
Chancel Side (Music)
Bible - Psalm 119 v105
Nave Pentecost - Left panel for Transfiguration
Narthex left window
Two stained glass windows depicting religious scenes inside a church.
Three stained glass windows in a church with wooden ceiling and hanging lights.
Colorful stained glass windows inside a church, depicting religious scenes with figures, including Jesus, Mary, and others, with darkened interior contrasted by illuminated stained glass.
Colorful stained glass window depicting religious figures, including Jesus Christ with a halo, praying, and scenes with multiple people in worship.
Stained glass window depicting religious scenes with Jesus and other figures inside a church.
Stained glass window depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with Jesus on the cross, surrounded by figures including Mary and others, with vibrant colors and religious symbolism.
Colorful stained glass window depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the left panel and the FEM of Mary praying on the right panel, with biblical inscriptions and decorative elements.
Stained glass window depicting Jesus Christ with a halo, holding a flag with a cross, and an angel with purple wings and a halo, set in a church.

Church Windows and Symbolism

Did you know that church windows are traditionally arranged in a sanctuary according to the events in the life of Christ? While one can't always control what a donor chooses to depict in a window or when they might present it, spaces are often left in anticipation, hoping to maintain the proper sequence. Additionally, one reason for the abundant symbolism in church windows is that, when they were first used to adorn churches and chapels, most of the congregation was illiterate. As a result, people recognized specific saints or disciples by their clothing or the particular objects associated with them.

A prime example of this is our chancel window, presented in 1916 by the session and a committee in memory of Mr. Alexander Laird, which depicts Christ and His disciples.

The other windows in the church can be identified as follows:

  • A Pair of Windows in the main entrance, donated in 1916 in memory of the Turner Wilson family by the congregation. Turner Wilson was a casualty of the Great War. These windows depict the burning bush and the shield of St. Andrew, both significant Presbyterian symbols.

  • The Nativity Window starts the main chronological series in the southwest section of the sanctuary. It was donated in 1946 in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J.Y. Murdoch by their son.

  • Jesus the Healer Window follows, presented by Dr. and Mrs. W.J. Bell in 1954. Dr. Bell was a medical doctor and a member of the Senate at the University of Toronto.

  • The Window in Memory of Mrs. Catherine McClain, one of the founders of the Church Guild, was donated by her son, Mr. R.W. McClain, in 1959.

On the east side of the sanctuary:

  • The Crucifixion Window was presented in 1958 anonymously by a son as a memorial to mothers. After his death, it was revealed that it was given by Mr. John Rogers.

  • The Resurrection Window, referred to earlier, was donated in 1945 by the wife of Hugh Gall, a renowned football player at the University of Toronto, who passed away early in life. The family later added his wife's name after her death.

  • The Jesus Commissioning the Disciples Window was donated by Mr. Frank Lucas, a former member of the session, in 1954 in memory of his wife, Helen.

In 1961, the choir presented Rosedale with several windows in honor of the former Director of Music, Clare Taylor. The window in the east wall of the chancel depicts musical instruments from biblical times. The four panels in the north wall of the transept depict prayer, the Bible, and the sacraments of baptism and communion.

Photographer: © David H. McCracken & Austin Zhao, FRSA