“Faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV)

This window seems very apt this fall as we prepare to make our annual pledges to the church and perhaps contemplate other gifts to help those suffering economic hardship as a result of the Covid 19 virus, as well as make ready to cast our vote in the November presidential election.

The maker of this window is unknown. It can be found on the east wall of the nave near the narthex and was given by Howard Drummonds in memory of his wife Elizabeth Newell, who lived from 1880 to 1916. It is more medieval in feel than the other windows in Christ Church with deep jewel colors and richly brocaded fabrics. The scripture and other text are in Latin, with the exception of  the message in the Faith or Fides window. The Faith message is in a banner in the left lancet and in English reads, “The Victory that overcometh the World.” 

Charity appears in the center lancet and is depicted as a mother with a child in her arms and another standing by her right foot partially hidden in the folds of her deep blue robe. A mother’s love represents the greatest of these virtues. In subsequent versions of scripture love is usually used in place of charity. This love is from the Greek word agape: unconditional or “God” love. Using it as a substitute for charity, as in generosity of sharing our time, treasure, and talents, may be a bit of an etymological stretch. The other three forms of love used in the Bible are filial love, romantic love, and empathy.

Hope is identified in the right lancet with the text Lux in Tenebris (Light in Darkness) above the female figure and at the bottom by an anchor, which is an ancient symbol of Hope. 

May we be inspired and comforted by these depictions of the words from the First Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians in this memorial window.