Stained Glass Tour

The beautiful stained glass windows in the main sanctuary of St. James represent the events in the life of Christ, beginning with the Nativity and ending with the Ascension.

The first two windows, "The Resurrection" and "Jesus Blessing the Children" were installed in 1984 for the John Dickert and David Sims families who together worked with Truett George of Advent Glass to develop a plan for all ten windows.

After much research to determine the style of windows most appropriate for St. James, Roy Coomber of Bristol, England was chosen as the main designer. The inspiration for the designs came mainly from Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Augistine, Florida. In 1984, Coomber provided water color renderings for all eight windows depicting the life of Christ plus the St. Francis window.

In 1986 the "Healing" window was installed. These first three windows were painted at the Advent Glass Studio by New York artist Dick Millard using Roy Coomber's designs.

In the early 90's, the late Jim Arnold coordinated an effort to find donors for the remaining windows, and by 1992, all of the windows representing the life of Jesus Christ and the St. Francis of Assisi window in the bell tower had been installed. These last windows were painted at Advent Glass by artist Steve Purdy of Fort Wayne, Indiana according to the original Coomber designs.

 

The AnnunicationThe Annunciation

"Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Luke 1:30-33 nlt

This window, given in loving memory of Linda Dixon Maultsby (May 26, 1943—June 21, 2003), is the newest window and was dedicated in 2005. It is in the prayer chapel.

 

   

Birth of Jesus

The Birth of Jesus

"And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

Luke 2:7 kjv

"And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his hame was called Jesus,..."

Luke 2:21 kjv

This window, depicting the birth of Jesus, was given by Royce Agner and Marcia Agner in thanksgiving for their children.

  

  

Baptism of JesusThe Baptism of Jesus

"Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

And the Holy Ghost descended in the bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased."

Luke 3:21-22 kjv

This window was given in loving memory of Connie and Johnnie Dixon.

 

   

 

Jesus and the ChildrenJesus Blesses the Children

"One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.

Mark 10:13-16 nlt

This window was given in loving memory of Derek Franklin Sims by his parents, Thelma and David Sims

Jesus TeachingJesus Teaches the Multitude

"One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there."

Luke 5:1-3 nlt

This window was given to the Glory of God and in Thanksgiving by the Shells.

    

 

 

CrusifictionJesus is Crucified

"Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

I Corinthians 15:57

"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do, and they parted his raiment, and cast lots."

Luke 23:34 kjv

This window was given to the Glory of God by Corinne and William Moore.

  

 

 

  

ResurrectionJesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him Rabboni; which is to say, Master."

John 20:15-16 kjv

This window was given by John and Gale Dickert in loving memory of Douglas Prado Dickert.

    


 

AscensionThe Ascension of Jesus Christ

"And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed then.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy"

Luke 24:50-52

This window was given by Price and Barbara Carmichael in thanksgiving for their children.

 





Communion ConvenantThe Communion Covenant

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst."

John 6:35

Jesus said, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him."

John 6:51, 55-56

The window, representing the Covenant of Holy Communion, was given in memory of Charles Robert Ware by Ernestine Ware.
 

Baptismal CovenantThe Baptismal Covenant

For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

Ephesians 4:4-6 NVT

The window, representing the Baptismal Covenant, was given in memory of Charles Robert Ware by Ernestine Ware. 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Spirit Descending DoveThe Descending Dove

"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove."

Mark 1:9-10 nlt





The Rose Window with the dove representing the Holy Spirit is in the gable in the front of the church. It was the first stained glass window to be donated to St. James. It was given in the mid-70’s.

This window was given in memory of Sallie and Bishop Clark by Betty Clark Parker, Bishop Clark, Jr., Sarah Bullen, and Mamie Jane Worley.

St. FrancisAbout St. Francis

St. Francis, founder of the Franciscan Monastic Order, early in his life took a vow of poverty and was known for his dedication to giving to the poor and caring for all God’s creatures. St. Francis day has become the traditional day for the blessing of the animals, in recognition of St. Francis’ loving care and attention he showed to all creatures, great and small.

This window, depicting St. Francis was given in loving memory of Helen Hendricks Franklin. It is at the front of the church in the bell tower which houses the columbarium.