The Stained Glass Windows of the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles
A continuing work from commission (1932) to final installation (1952) by the Judson Studios of Pasadena, these beautiful stained glass windows were a memorial to our faith, our progress and our people. I will be citing from two primary sources for the information in this article. The first is a dedicatory folio that was created shortly after the installation and gives the names of the people for whom the windows were dedicated and a small piece of information from that folio. Next, the reader will be able to see a more detailed article, which was given to those who gave guided tours. In the archival box, we found black and white photographs of the windows, but very few colored photos. Due to the distance between the floor and the windows, it is difficult to obtain a good clear shot of the windows, even with today's technology, but I will include an attempt to get at least a shot showing the colors in these beautiful windows. The best way to see them is, of course, in person. There is no author identified on either of the two sources. The folio represents how the windows were perceived. The later article depicts how the windows were finally achieved. Each, in it's own way, tells a wonderful story of what these windows represent. I am going to list the wonderful donors of the windows who made it all possible under the newer book since it gives the detailed description of the window itself.
Some of the windows change colors depending on the time of day and the amount of sun shining directly on the windows. All are in vivid deep blues, reds, yellows and greens. I think the dedication presentation identifies it most clearly. It called the windows "The Ministry of Light". Although not included in this article, be sure and also visit Shatto Chapel and see the beautiful old tiffany glass window, which was brought over from our former church. It is a wonderful example of the old-style stained glass that you see in some of the country churches throughout America.
For those who want to read more about Judson Studios, click on the name and it will take you to their website. To come back to this website, click on your back arrow, or bookmark this web page and come back regularly. The reader might also want to visit The Stained Glass Association of America's website for a concise history of stained glass. There are other wonderful web links that I will try to add as I identify them.
According to a news article in the Los Angeles Times, dated 6 July 1952, the final window was installed in that year. The church was dedicated in 1932, at which time Judson Studios in Pasadena were commissioned to create and install the stained glass windows.
The "Jesse Tree" window, the last in the series, was said to portray the genealogy of Jesus and was one of nine clerestory windows to have been installed. The South windows depict the hand of God moving through man in the form of Queen Isabella, the Pilgrim families, Benjamin Franklin, thomas Edison, Abraham Lincoln, Hugo Grotius, Padre Junipero Serra, Senator Benton and John Fremont. The Clerestory windows on the north are devoted to the Old Testament, depicting the Creation, the Patriarchs, the Profits and the Jesse Tree of Christ.
In May of that year, the north transept window, devoted to the Old Testament was installed. This window was said to measure 16 feet by 30 and required two years to create. It was created out of about 27,000 bits of pot-metal and antique, hand-blown glass. It is said that each piece of glass had to be handled 15 times in the process of constructing a window.
The article goes on to indicate that Judson Studios installed the sanctuary window, the Life of Christ, in 1933 in addition to two chancel windows, one devoted to the youth of Jesus and one devoted to the adult ministry of Jesus, which was completed between 1946-47. The six aisle windows, depicting the miracles of Christ were installed during 1932-33, as was the Rose window over the entrance which depicted "Christ the King" enthroned in glory.
In the sections below, the reader will see photos of the windows as shown to the prospective donors along with the names of the persons to whom they were dedicated. Next, the reader will see black and white renditions of the windows which will show the details of each window, both as a whole, and dividing each section of the individual windows. Along with that will be a narration of what each window depicts. This narration was used in the VHS video of "The Windows of First Church", which was created some years ago. The church may still have a few copies left for a nominal cost should someone wish to purchase one. If not, then if enough interest is shown, they may be convinced to do a new one in DVD format. Some of the windows are depicted on the DVD of the Great Organs, most especially the Good Shepherd window which was brought over from an earlier church.
Finally, I will show the reader some color photos of the windows taken as a digital camera shot from the old video. I will warn you in advance that the photos are somewhat poor quality, but it is difficult to get a full-on shot of the windows without using special photographic equipment and scaffolding to raise you high enough to get a close photo. Unfortunately, I do not possess equipment of this caliber and I do not go up onto scaffolding, being over the age of 60 and doddering, if not undaunted.
According to the folio, "Stained glass is one of the oldest, most dignified and honored forms used to perpetuate among the living, the influence of departed loved ones. The beauty of the art windows of First Congregational Church is enhanced by our memories of those to whom they are an enduring tribute..." "Each object of beauty follows a plan, and so it is with the art windows of our Sanctuary. Just as the individual window tells a story of its own, so the combination of all the windows will tell the great story of the Bible and of the church in the modern age."
It goes on to say, "The thrilling history that is the Old Testament will one day be made manifest by the art windows on the north wall of the Sanctuary. (Remember, this was written before the windows were installed). From the triple lancet window of the transept will shine the highlights of Jewish history. the other windows of that wall will interpret Jewish history from the time of the Creation of the Christian Era, which is introduced by the Jesse Window--the genealogy of Christ.....The three jewelled windows of the Chancel speak to us of Christ. The fifteen medallions of the east window depict the life of Christ, while His youth and adult ministry are disclosed by the north and south chancel windows. The trefoil at the top of the east window is symbolic of the Trinity. The miracles of Christ are illustrated in the aisle windows of the Sanctuary."
The folio states that Isaiah 1:9 was chosen as the guiding scripture for the stained glass of our church. "Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom and we should have been like unto Gomorrah." . .The manifestation of God through "the very small remnant" was to be depicted by the south windows. At completion, they were to tell us of the Christian Era--from the Apostolic Period to the future."
In speaking of "The Ministry of Light", the folio indicated that the art windows of First Congregational Church of Los Angeles has received awards and recognition on numerous occasions. It was said that when the windows were completed that the church will be "an outstanding medium for the presentation of fine stained glass and for the inspiration which that art affords to many." They went on to say that "awareness of these potentialities presents a challenge to speed completion of all the windows to that our ministry of light may reach perfection. At the time of this publication, it said that the eight remaining clerestory windows and the triple lancet window of the north transept was the final portion of the art windows in the sanctuary and that there were eight windows remaining to be installed in Shatto Chapel. They were still taking donations to complete the project when this booklet was printed.
The Shatto Chapel, was named in honor of the Shatto family, Clara R (Whitney) Shatto(1853 - 1942) and George Shatto, who donated to First church. George Shatto owned Santa Catalina Island in the late 1800s,) "The Good Shepherd Window" was installed in this chapel along with portions of the earlier pipe organ. This window was originally installed in the Hope Street Church and was moved to its present location in 1932. The west panel is dedicated to the memory of Frances Clark Howard. The center panel is dedicated to Edward and Clarissa Bosbyshell and the east panel is dedicated to Andrew H. Verberg. The eight panels placed below the other was intended to perpetuate the memory of many early members of the church.
(Source: " Stained Glass Series for Church Completed :First Congregational to Get Final Window of Group Rated Among Finest in the Nation. (1952, July 6). Los Angeles Times (1886-Current File),26. Retrieved May 1, 2008, from ProQuest Historical Newspapers Los Angeles Times (1881 - 1986) database. (Document ID: 448626612)"
or Apostolic Window
(Wilson)
McMillan
Miller
(Paine)