FoxChaseIndex

Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase

7902 Oxford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111

Phone (215) 745-2844
Fax (215) 745-2205

Stained Glass

General History

General History -The stained glass windows in our church tell many stories from the Bible. They are to remind us of important lessons. The windows came from several studios, not all of which are known. The Willet Studios designed and executed most of them.

The first window to be seen upon entering our church is above the door. It contains symbols of the acts of mercy, taken from the twenty fifth chapter of Matthew. This subject is often near the door to remind us to take out into the world the lessons taught in church. This window is in memory of Edith W. Griffin.

Next, there is a three-panel window over the inner door that focuses on the theme of Christ as the Good Shepherd. The panel on the left shows Jesus speaking to the woman of Samaria by the Well of Jacob (John 4 : 13, 14). This panel is in memory of Ella Dettimer. The center panel shows Jesus as the Shepherd holding a lamb, reminding us that Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10 : 14). This panel is in memory of William and Mary Roeschen. The panel on the right shows a young boy giving his lunch of five loaves and two fishes to Jesus, who blessed them and multiplied them to feed five thousand hungry people (John 6 : 9 - 13). This panel is in memory of Helena M. Preston.

Having entered the main body of the church, the first three-panel window on the left shows an angel in the center. The angel is believed to be Gabriel. The side panels contain a Bible and the tablets of the Ten Commandments. These panels are in memory of Jenny White.

The next on the left is the large "Chamberlain Window," showing Jesus in a garden of lilies. The lily is a common and popular symbol of Jesus' resurrection. This window is of the older, sentimental vintage and was the first memorial window in our church. It is in memory of Lewis Boyer Chamberlain.

Above the chancel and organ is a Rose or circular window. Christ is at the center, holding a lamb. The petals contain conventional ornaments in the form of wheat and grapes - the natural forms of the communion bread and wine. This window is in memory of one who gave his life serving his country, George F. Gebhart.

The three-panel window to the right of the pews, nearest the communion table, illustrates Jesus preaching His great sermon on the mount (Matthew 5). The left panel shows the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (Luke 18 : 9 - 14). The right panel shows the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10 : 29 - 37). This window is in memory of George and Angeline Ovington.

The three-panel window on the right, nearest the entrance, shows Boaz as the central figure. The story of Ruth, who he later marries, is shown in the side panels (Ruth 1 :16; 2: 7, 8; 4 : 9 - 43). This window is in memory of James White.

Next, we enter the side room of the sanctuary, beginning with a two-panel window to the right of the chancel. The first panel shows Christ crucified. Two smaller figures are also shown; one is his mother, Mary, and the other is the centurion who said, "Surely this was the Son of God" (Matthew 27 : 54). The second panel shows Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21 : 6 - 9). This window is in memory another who gave his life serving his country, John G. Weatherby.

Next is a three-panel window. In the first panel, Abel is shown with a lamb on his shoulder, and the sacrificial fire burning on the altar. The next panel shows Abraham about to sacrifice his son Isaac. The boy kneels, while God's angel interrupts the thrust of the knife (Genesis 22 : 1 -13). The third panel shows us the Good Shepherd defending his sheep against the wolves at the risk of his own life. This window is in memory of Charles T. and Chrissie T. Smith.

The three-panel window at the center of the side room is of the Last Supper (Luke 22 : 19, 20; John 13 : 27 - 30). This window is in memory of Herman N. and Karoline J. Mattson.

Moving to the right is a three-panel window in which we see Melchizedek, a king and a priest, giving Abraham bread and wine (Genesis 14 : 18 - 20). The center panel reminds us of the feast of the Passover which Jesus celebrated with His disciples. The third panel shows David receiving the blessed shewbread from the altar, from Ahimelech, the high priest ( 1 Samuel 21 : 1 - 6). This window is in memory of Smith and Emily Ballentine.

The last window of the side room has two panels. The first panel shows God feeding the children of Israel. He gave them manna and quails to eat while in the wilderness (Exodus 16). The second panel shows Elijah hiding by the brook Cherith from King Ahab (1 Kings 17 : 3 - 6). This window is in memory of Raymond and Lena Berger.

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