Stained-Glass Windows

West Window (Over Balcony)

Themes from the Old and New Testaments have been artfully combined to illustrate the way of salvation through Jesus Christ. The life of the Messiah is depicted in five lancets. The first lancet portrays the prophecies concerning Christ’s coming. The second deals with the Incarnate Christ in His humanity. In the center we see Christ as the Prophet, Priest, and King. Christ revealed in His divinity is shown in the fourth lancet to the right. The last one reveals the Lord of Judgement.

On the lower left, the first medallion shows an angel bearing a flaming sword Adam and Eve are driven from the Garden of Eden. The first Messianic prophesy from Genesis 3 is symbolized by a foot on the serpent. Next, Abraham is shown about to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The boy kneels obediently on the pyre. Coals smolder in a pot, which Isaac carried to Mt. Moriah. As Abraham raises the knife to kill his son, an angel recognizing Abraham’s trust in God, calls to him to cease. Lastly, the Old Testament lancet ends with Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming of the suffering servant, Jesus Christ.

At the bottom of the second lancet are Mary and Joseph with the turtle doves offered as a sacrifice in the temple. Simeon is seen with the Child Jesus in his arms.  Next, Jesus is seen asking and answering questions in the temple at the age of twelve years. The top medallion shows Jesus as a boy in his father’s carpenter shop.

The center lancet symbolizes Christ in His three-fold office of Prophet, Priest, and King. Jesus the Prophet is at the bottom. A Prophet is a teacher. He holds an open book signifying the Good News, upon which a lighted lamp rests, illustrating Jesus as the light of the World. In the center is Jesus the Great High Priest, who not only intercedes us, but also shed His own blood as the sacrifice. Christ the King is at the top of the lancet. In His hand is the symbol of royalty. Beneath His feet is the river of the water of Life as shown to John the Revelation.

At the bottom of the fourth lancet John the Baptist is seen directing his followers to the Lamb of God, who bears the red banner of victory. Next, Jesus revealed His kingly glory when He changed water into wine at the wedding feast at Cana. At the top, Jesus is seen talking by night to Nicodemus, who as a Jewish leader, acknowledges Jesus as sent by God.

At the bottom of the fifth lancet, Jesus sends His disciples out into all the world to spread His Church through the means of regeneration in baptism. Next, John is seen on the island of Patmos where he was granted a vision of heave. In his book of the Revelation he proclaims Christ is the Alpha and the Omega. The seven stars represent the angels of the seven churches, which are symbolized by the seven lamp stands. The top medallion shows Jesus on His throne separating the sheep from the goats.

The Lamb of God is the center of the top circular window. The Agnus Dei is enthroned upon the Book of Life with seven seals, surrounded by the saints lauding Christ in the words “Worthy is the Lamb”. In the peaks are two archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Side Aisle (North)

(From left to right.)
Conversion of Emperor Constantine As EmperorConstantine rode to battle, he saw a cross in the sky and the words, "In this sign, conquer." Constantine had the Chi Rho monogram painted on his soldier's shields and banners. He became the first ruler to establish Christianity as the official religion of Italy and Graul.

Invention of Printing Printing had a tremendous influence on both sacred and secular history. It made available the Bible in the language of the people, thus allowing man to discover Christian truths for himself. The Word of God is symbolized by an open Bible seen in this window.

Reformation Dr. Martin Luther took as his basis of his faith the New Testament sentence, "The just shall live by faith." In hopes that the church might turn to this basic truth, he nailed 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg.

Christian Mission to North America The Christian Mission to North America is portrayed by the arrival of the European settlers on the shores of the New World. They had left their homeland in search of religious freedom. The words inscribed emphasize that the graces bestowed upon the USA and her people come directly from the hand of God and are repeated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Side Aisle (South)

(From left to right.)
The Birth of Jesus The Holy Ghost prompted Malachi to speak of a new era of the Messiah with "healing in his wings." The Christ Child on His crib throne imparts a blessing as a king. The tablets of the Law are thrown down as a New Testament is ushered in by the Savior.

Resurrection of Christ The greatest event ever to be recorded in world history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. He is shown standing above the fallen sentry carrying the banner of victory of life over sin and death. Vignetted are two of His post-resurrection apearances: Mary Magdalene and Thomas (The Doubter).

Pentecost The Christian Church was founded on the day of Pentecost. All the believers were gathered together in the upper room to celebrate the Feast of Harvest. Suddenly there was a great rushing of wind and tongues of fire touched each one present. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other languages.

Conversion of Paul This window depicts Paul's lightning conversion on his way to Damascus. As he tumbles from his horse, he hears the voice of God depicted by the universal symbol of a hand emerging from the clouds. "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

(From left to right.)
Teaching The Apostolic Council in Acts 15 is shown at the upper left. The seal of Valparaiso University is above. At the upper right, Athanasius speaks of the Trinity to Emperor Constantine. At the lower left, Melancthon is shown writing the Augsburg Confession. The first seminary built by Lutheran immigrants in Missouri is seen at the lower right with Dr. Walther, the first president of the LC-MS. The seals are LC-MS and Concordia Seminary.

Preaching At the Upper left, Jesus is shown preaching the Sermon on the Mount. At the upper right, Peter is shown preaching his great sermon at Pentecost, which resulted in the conversions of three thousand souls. Above is the symbol of the Holy Ghost. At the lower left, Paul preaches at Athens on Mars Hill. Above is Paul’s symbol, the open book and “sword of the Spirit." At the lower right, Luther is preaching with his symbol above him.