The Stained Glass Windows of Saint Mark

The Lord is My Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
Psalm 23:1-2

To the Glory of God
and in Loving Memory of
William Lawson Peel, 1849-1927
Lucy Cook Peel, 1849-1923

The subject of this window, in which Jesus carries a lamb in his arms, depicts New Testament interpretation of the nature of Christ; it is not based on any event recorded in Scripture. The title of the window, “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” is quoted from the first verse of Psalm 23 and the representation of Christ in the window illustrates his claim recorded in the Fourth Gospel: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (Saint John 10:11) This theme is frequent in the Old and New Testaments and is particularly notable in the Letter to the Hebrews where our Lord is described as “the great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20).

The figures in this window occupy a setting drawn from Psalm 23; they are standing in a “green pasture beside still waters.” Overhead are the spreading branches of palm trees and in the distant background is a city set on a hill.

Jesus, clothed in the red and white colors which symbolize sovereign power and purity, holds in his right hand a shepherd’s crook, which has made the transition from the Old Testament tool of pastoral occupation to the bishop’s crozier, in the Christian Church representative of the pastoral responsibility of the clergy. In his left arm Jesus carries a lamb, reflecting Second Isaiah’s description of the coming of Yahweh: “He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11).

The dress and facial expressions of the three figures on the right indicate that they are Scribes and Pharisees, who question Jesus’ teaching. The other young man with uncovered head appears to be a follower of Jesus.
Of particular artistic note in this window is the finely detailed execution of the triradiant nimbus around Jesus’ head and the realism in the facial expressions.

The medallion at the top of the window is a red Cross Fleurie on a blue background, one of the many variant forms of the cross.

This window was dedicated by the Reverend Dr. W. L. Duren, Pastor of Saint Mark Church, at the Morning Worship Service on Sunday, December 9, 1928.

Mr. and Mrs. William Lawson-Peel lived at the corner of Peachtree Street and Merritts Avenue, next door to the Merritts Avenue Methodist Church. Although members of First Methodist Church, they were interested in their neighbor church and gave the congregation its first pipe organ, which was played by their daughter Lucy (later Mrs. W. H. Kiser). Mr. Peel was President of the Maddox Rucker Bank which later became First National Bank. He and his wife joined the Merritts Avenue Church when it was decided to build a new church at Peachtree and Fifth Street. They were very active members, helping to raise money, giving generously, and assuming prominent responsibility in the matters of selecting a new location, developing building plans, and deciding on a new name.

In the dedicatory sermon, Dr. Duren said, “In the building of Saint Mark Church in 1902 there was none more interested in its success, none more generous with contributions, and none who gave more of time and thought. Since they joined this congregation in 1901, their love of music has been an inspiration for both churches to get splendid organs and has directed and assisted in the beautiful music at the worship services."