The five windows known as The Evangelists and Paul were installed in the Chancel in the year the current church was consecrated, 1910. They were designed by The Gotham Company of New York and donated by Rebecca Witherell in memory of her husband Nathaniel who lived from 1841 to 1906. The windows are each a single arch and complement The Good Shepherd window over the main altar in design and in their common theme of spreading Christ’s ministry. In the four windows that remain in the Chancel, we see the heads the four Gospelers or Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

These are the men considered the most responsible for spreading the “good news”. Each is depicted in a quatrefoil at the top and each window carries a scriptural quote in a ribbon-like streamer along the bottom of the window.

MATTHEW

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”, reads the banner at the bottom of this window on the east wall nearest the altar. What a beautiful message to contemplate. What does this mean in your life?

Matthew was a tax collector for the Roman Empire in Capernaum when he became a follower of Jesus. He is known as one of the twelve disciples and one of the four apostles or messengers who spread Jesus’ message throughout the Middle East and as far into Africa as Ethiopia. Matthew, one of the four Gospels, is the first book in the New Testament.

MARK

“He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”, is the message on this window. Staying faithful through the ups and downs of life is a challenge. This passage from the Gospel of Mark tells us of the rewards of eternal salvation for those who patiently stick with it. The Mark window is one west wall of the Chancel, nearest the Altar.

Mark is considered the founder of Christianity in Africa and was the first bishop of Alexandria. He is identified with the Coptic tradition of Christianity, which is practiced today in Egypt, and less so in Libya and Sudan. Mark was a teen or young man when he became a Jesus “groupie”.

LUKE

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward all men”. The first part of this window’s banner in Latin is Gloria in Excelsis Deo, which is the refrain in the Christmas carol “Angels We Have Heard on High”. When we sing “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” we sing the verse Peace on earth, goodwill to men, from heaven’s all gracious king. This window is next to Matthew on the east side of the Chancel.

JOHN

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine”. This banner includes the name of the window. The verse, from John 10:14, is followed by “Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.”

John and his brother James were among the first to follow Jesus. They were fishermen who met Jesus in Galilee. John is known as the beloved disciple, and with James and Peter were present for many of the events we read about in the New Testament, including praying with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. John was at the crucifixion. Afterward, he traveled across Asia Minor to spread the teachings of Jesus. This window is on the West side of the Chancel next to Mark.

Karen Royce