The Stained Glass Windows of Saint Mark

The Willet Chapel Windows

The chancel and nave windows of the Frances Winship Walters Chapel were designed and executed by the noted studios of Henry Willet of Philadelphia, using hand-blown pot-metal glass. All of the color is in the glass itself, no enamels being used. The painted features and ornaments are burned into the glass, conforming to the medieval practice.
The 13th century, or Early Gothic Period, was probably the culmination of the greatest of all ages in the history of stained glass. In no other time was the color more vibrant and jewel like, nor the design and leading more concordant.

Within complicated divisions of circles and quatrefoils were figure compositions called medallions. The interstices were filled with patterns and the whole surrounded by stylized floral and ornamental borders. The figures of the medallions, showing the action of the Bible stories, were rendered in the simplest and most direct manner. These windows were called storied windows as distinguished from the picture windows of later centuries.

The windows of the Cathedral of Chartres are of this period; here are found both the best and greatest group of medieval windows. The Willet windows of the Walters Chapel are designed and executed in this supreme 13th century style and technique.

The Chancel window, given by Robert Winship Woodruff, is symbolic of the Old and New Dispensations. In the left lancet the Fear of the Lord is depicted, with Moses receiving the Law from God amidst thunder and lightning. He expresses that true type of fear, which is respect. True fear creates in us humility, and Moses stands in a humble attitude, his sandals removed, for he stands on Holy Ground. On the tablets is the inscription “The Law came by Moses.” After Moses had talked with God, his face shone so brightly that the children of Israel could not look at it. This has always been symbolized in Christian art by beams of light radiating from the head of Moses. The following of the Law brings Light and Justice, symbolized by the lamp and scales. At the top of the lancet are shown the patriarchs who prepared the way for Moses and above them in the tracery panel is Solomon’s Temple. In the predella below is the figure of Solomon who chose as his gift from God, that of Wisdom.

In the predella of the right panel the Evangelist Luke is shown writing his Gospel containing the words “Rather seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you.” As the Fear of the Lord is symbolized by the Law, so the Kingdom of God is symbolized by Love, which makes itself manifest in Jesus Christ our Lord, and as the Law came by Moses, so Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. The Savior is shown symbolically as he walked through the fields talking to the disciples at the time he gave them this verse. As the Law came down from Heaven, so did Christ’s inspired Love come from God. This is symbolized by the Dove shedding its light on Jesus. As the patriarchs, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob prepared the way for Moses, so Peter, James, John, and Paul, shown at the top of the lancet, carried on the work of Christ, that many might be led to the Kingdom of Heaven, which is shown in the tracery above.

The three windows in the nave were given by Mrs. Frances Winship Walters in memory of her nephew, Henry F. Woodruff, and are devoted to twelve precepts from the Sermon on the Mount and six symbols of Christian Mercy.

In the south window are medallions entitled “Let your Light so shine,” “Do good to them that hate you,” “Doest thine alms in secret,” and “Lay up Treasures in Heaven.” The symbols above are the Bible and the Loaf of Bread.

In the center window are “Consider the Lilies of the Field,” “One cannot serve two Masters,” “First cast out the Beam of thine own Eye,” and “Neither cast Pearls before Swine,” with the Pitcher and the Cloak in the tracery.

The north window depicts “Much more shall your Father give,” “Narrow is the Way,” “False Prophets in Sheep’s Clothing,” and “The House founded upon a Rock.” The Open Door and the Basket of Fruit are above.
Three arched windows in the passageway between the sanctuary and chapel are made of pale shades of glass leaded in a simple diamond pattern.

The Frances Winship Walters Chapel was dedicated by Bishop Arthur J. Moore, Dr. Lester Rumble, District Superintendent, and Dr. Joseph Owen, Pastor, on May 19, 1948.