The stained glass windows in the Nave of St. Matthew were designed and crafted by some of the most talented artists and artisans. The glorious RESURRECTION MORN that graces the front of the Nave, as well as the four middle windows on the west wall, were created by Charles Mente (1867-1933), of Tiffany Studios in New York City, NY, and were crafted of opalescent glass by H.B. Hankinson of Orange, NJ. RESURRECTION MORN was created in 1928 and was a gift from Mrs. Clara Glatfelter Moul.
The four middle windows on the east wall were designed and made by Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia. These windows were executed in the choicest handblown pot-metal glass throughout, carefully selected for texture and brightness to show to the best advantage from the outside light.
In addition to their beauty, the windows are rich in symbolism. They depict events in the life of Jesus, the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and world, symbols representing essentials of our faith, the history of the Church, just to name a few.
The tour of these glorious works of art begins with this overview. It is a summary of the location and themes of the widows.
The West Wall
Click on individual windows for a detailed description of each.
There are six windows on the west side of the Nave.
Unlike the other windows, the first one from the entrance to the Nave is not named. It contains several symbols of our faith. Bisected by the balcony, the window features in the center, a large Latin cross whose vertical and horizontal bars seem to be studded with jewels. The lower section matches that of the next four windows and displays the Alpha and Omega, Greek letters for the first and last (Revelation 22:13), symbols for God.
Continuing on the west wall is a grouping of four windows. These windows display events in the life of Jesus. It has been suggested that the events may have occurred at different times of the day. Moving from the back of the Nave to the front, CHRIST IN BETHANY may suggest an evening scene. THE RICH YOUNG RULER may depict an afternoon event, CHRIST BLESSING THE CHILDREN, a noonday scene, and ANNUNCIATION TO THE SHEPHERDS, a morning event.
Behind the choir loft is SERMON ON THE MOUNT, a scene that must have been repeated often as Jesus went about teaching and healing. The background is a hilly landscape, reminiscent of the setting for the fifth chapter of Matthew which begins with the Beatitudes.
The East Wall
Click on individual windows for a detailed description of each.
Beginning at the front of the Nave on the east wall, THE NATIVITY window is almost as beautiful as the story it depicts. It takes its inspiration from the accounts of Jesus’ birth in the Gospels of both Matthew and Luke.
As is the case in the middle of the west wall, the middle of the east wall also has a grouping of four windows. The thematic tie running through all four windows is the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and world. They are, moving from the front of the church to the back, PENTECOST, REFORMATION, LUTHERANS IN AMERICA, and GOD’S WORLD AND HUMANITY'S USE.
The South Wall
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Standing erect in front of the sepulcher is the figure of an angel garbed in white, identified by large wings and a palm branch in his left hand. In daylight hours, this exquisite Tiffany window, RESURRECTION MORN, dominates the Nave proclaiming hope, comfort, and a sense of direction for life to all who contemplate its message. The angel’s back is toward the tomb and his right hand is held high in greeting as he faces the two figures on the left side of the window. It seems to be the very moment when he announces, “Do not be afraid...He has risen!”
The North Wall
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Above the balcony is the exquisite ROSE WINDOW. This work of art depicts six significant events in the life of Jesus. The rose-shaped vignettes are grouped around a central rose showing a bright entrance or doorway, flanked symmetrically by the marble pillars of a temple. Perhaps this depiction is of the new Jerusalem of Revelation 21.