The Stained Glass Windows of Saint Mark

Come Unto Me

“Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

William Candler, 1890-1936

The name of this window and the subject matter depicted are based upon passages which appear only in the Gospel According to Saint Matthew. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (11:28).” “And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the dumb, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them (15:30).” Around the central figure of Jesus are the sick and anguished who have come in response to his invitation. The kneeling man in blue has laid his cane on the ground and crosses his arms in submission. A woman holds an infant in her arms. A man with a paralyzed arm lies at the feet of Jesus. The standing man in red turban and orange robe might be presumed to be mute. A woman kneels and holds a small child in her arms. A man with twisted foot and bandaged forearm leans on a crutch. Except for Jesus, whose countenance is serene and compassionate, every other face bears a pained and pleading expression. The artist has represented the moment when the suffering have turned to Jesus for help rather than the later time of joy and relief after the healing had occurred.

The missing plastering on the brick wall behind the group and the broken column on top of the wall may be intended to suggest the brokenness often evident in human life. In the background buildings stand atop a precipitous mountain; a city on a hill is symbolic of the stability and prominence of the Church as an influence in the world.

The medallion at the top of the window is the Chi Rho (XP) monogram representing Christ. It is formed by the first two letters of the Greek word XRICTOC (pronounced Christos). Although the Chi is ordinarily written X, it is turned here to take the shape of a Greek cross. The money bag, crutch, and loaf of bread appearing below the monogram refer to charitable works and donations in money, medical aid and food.

This window was dedicated, with the “Baptism of Christ” and “Ascension” windows, by the Reverend Dr. Dow Kirkpatrick, Minister of Saint Mark Church, and Bishop Arthur J. Moore of the Atlanta Area of The Methodist Church, at the Morning Worship Service on Sunday, April 19, 1959.
William Candler, youngest son of Coca-Cola manufacturer Asa G. Candler and nephew of Bishop Warren Candler, was one of Atlanta’s best known civic and business leaders. A member of the family who were generous benefactors of Emory University, he was president and active manager of the Biltmore Hotel at the time of his death. He was Secretary and Treasurer of the Coca-Cola Company, President of Callan-Court Company, and Vice-President of the Atlanta Baggage and Cab Company. Mr. Candler was recognized by the United States Chamber of Commerce, which elected him chairman of the board controlling the publication, Nation’s Business. He was a member of the Board of Stewards of Saint Mark Church for more than ten years and a regular usher at the worship services.

WSB Radio, in a rare action in the broadcasting industry, went off the air at noon on the day following Mr. Candler’s death for a minute of silent tribute to him. Lambdin Kay, general manager of the station, said: “I know of no finer person than Mr. William Candler. He was the soul of courtesy and was at all times considerate of the feelings of others. In him there was no guile and to him friendliness was as natural a thing as breathing … [He is] one who will be missed sorely, yet memories of his gentle nature and kindly acts will remain always."