How Stained Glass Windows Are Made

Stained glass is not an art in which the method reveals itself at first glance. Few people looking at a stained glass window realize the long and often tedious process by which the result has been obtained.

First, "stained glass" is a term, which is frequently misunderstood, and does not make clear just how the coloring process is done. Stained glass is glass that is colored throughout its thickness by different chemicals while the glass is in liquid form. For instance, gold is used to make red and cobalt to make blue, etc. At one time, the glass had to be blown, but now it is rolled. The density of the color is determined by how thick or thin the glass is and the thinner the glass, the more light that comes through. By using rollers with rough or smooth surfaces, glass can be given a texture as it is made. The variations of texture let the glass pick up light from different angles, making it even more interesting.

An artist designing a stained glass window must know the style of architecture, the amount of light, and the distance from which the window will be viewed to be able to make an appropriate window. He first paints a small sketch, taking care that the lead divisions are integrated into the design. From this a full-scale drawing will be made and this will be used as a blueprint for making the window.

Diamond or hardened steel wheels are used to cut the glass to fit each of the pieces, which will be fitted together, much as a jigsaw puzzle is done.

In most church windows there are designs on the glass and this is done by an artist, who paints in the details with colored opaque enamel. These pieces are then placed in a furnace and baked to about 2000 degrees so that the enamel becomes a part of the glass. Finally, the pieces of glass are fitted together with H-shaped strips of lead. The joints are soldered and if exposed to the weather, they are sealed with special flexible cement. Since lead is not strong enough to support the weight of a window, bars are placed to reinforce and strengthen the window.

Symbols in Our Worship

When we come to church to worship God, it is important that we surround ourselves with objective symbols pointing to the concerns of the spiritual life. Such symbols help to interrupt the worldly train of thought, which is all too apt to occupy one’s mind even at worship.

Monograms and symbols constitute the sign language of the church. For fear of persecution, the early Christians developed an elaborate sign language for identifications of believers and for communication with one another. The Chinese have a saying to the effect that a picture is worth ten thousand words. This is also true of Christian Symbols. They are silent sermons speaking to the heart of those who will lend attention. Our Church, Avondale United Methodist, has many symbols to remind us of the purpose and presence of God in His House of Worship.

Outside, on either side of the main entrance to the Sanctuary, carved into the stone are two important Christian symbols. On the left, imposed upon a shield is IHS and a Greek Cross (cross with arms of equal length). On the right, imposed upon a shield are the Cross and Crown and a Maltese Cross (cross with arms of equal length in triangular form).

The architecture is Gothic in style with beautiful arches over doors and windows that point upward to God reminding us that our worship is directed heavenward. The place where the congregation gathers for worship is the “Nave”, so named by early Christians because life represented as a restless sea, the worshippers are voyagers and the church is the “Ship of Zion”. The Nave is the main body of a ship, and beams supporting the roof and walls of our church are exposed, as are the beams of a ship. The lanterns, which light the nave, hang as a ship’s lanterns and they are decorated in each panel with two Greek Crosses, crosses with arms of equal length. The large double-windows are divided by a cross that further proclaims the building a House of Christian Worship.

The Altar or Communion Table holds the Cross and two candles. Facing the altar, the candle on the left represents God the Father, the Cross represents God the Son, the candle on the right represents God the Holy Spirit and all imply “Light of the World”.

The Marble Baptismal Font is octagonal in shape with the staff tapering upward from base to bowl, pointing to God. The eight sides have reference to regeneration or the “New Birth”. God occupied seven days in creation and rest; the eighth day is significant of the “new creation” or the salvation of man. The eight sides also represent the eight souls saved from the flood in the Ark of Noah. The front side of the font has inscribed IHS. These are the first three letters of the word “Jesus” in Greek. The Greek language having no “J” substitutes “I” in spelling. This is an ancient abbreviation of the word “Jesus” in Greek.
The font was given in memory of Ferdinand E. Smith and Martha A. Smith by Mrs. S.J. Taylor.