The photographer of the windows, Jeremy Hannon, is a graduate of Loyola High School in Baltimore and former editor of their yearbook. He is currently studying engineering at Rutgers University. Many thanks to him and his father (both parishioners), Mark Hannon, for their historical research and photographs of the Holy Cross windows.
The Stained Glass of
Holy Cross Church
Why are there stained-glass windows in our churches?
By Phillip Kosloski
Light is a common spiritual theme in Christian theology. In Genesis God’s first words at creation were, “‘Let there be light’; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good” (Genesis 1:3-4).
Jesus even went so far as to identify himself with light, saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
With this in mind it was fitting for Christians to spend much time and energy developing the design of windows in churches. Windows funnel the light of the sun and dispel the darkness of the shadows. Architects saw them as the perfect opportunity to highlight a spiritual truth while serving a functional purpose.
However, stained glass windows as we know them today were not developed until the 10th century. Prior to that the Egyptians and Romans had developed a technique for creating small colored glass objects, but did not use the technology for large scale windows.
The oldest surviving complete stained-glass window is found in the Augsburg Cathedral in Germany. It was constructed in the 11th century and was part of a project to make the windows larger and more beautiful. These windows not only served the spiritual purpose of bringing to mind how the light of God shatters our darkness, but also proved to be an important catechetical tool.
It was during the medieval period that stained glass windows became a primary way to teach the illiterate laity the many stories of the Bible. Often these windows, depending on the size of the church, would go from Genesis to Revelation, highlighting the most important stories in Salvation History.
The history of the Bible depicted in these windows would also be connected to a brief representation of Church history. Saints were also shown in these windows and presented as a daily inspiration for the people struggling on their Christian journey. The windows were also used to illustrate the illumination of the mind with divine knowledge and how grace penetrates our world.
As technology improved over time, stained glass windows grew larger and larger, becoming extremely complicated and full of all kinds of symbolism.
On account of the complex artistry involved, stained glass windows were typically the last item to be installed in a new church and many years would pass until the final window was completed. The windows were also very expensive to produce and so to encourage donations, names of patrons would be etched on the bottom. In larger medieval churches the patrons themselves would even be depicted along with the saints.
Stained glass windows are some of the most beautiful treasures of Christian churches and are there to inspire and teach the faithful many spiritual truths. They remain an essential part of church architecture and continue to be used in new constructions throughout the world.
jesus in the garden at gethsemane (before & after restoration)
the holy family
Joseph is pictured with lilies, Mary with the Bible and dressed in purple, prefiguring Jesus’ passion and death. The Holy Spirit is seen above Jesus referencing Acts 10:38 “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.” Gift of the Holy Family Society
jesus the good shepherd
A reference to John 10 where Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd of his people. He holds a shepherd’s staff symbolizing his guidance and protectively carries a sheep. Gift of John Marley and Phillip Loessel
Mary, the Mother of jesus at the cross
Gift of Holy Cross Church’s first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
MATTHEW, AUTHOR OF THE FIRST GOSPEL
Matthew’s symbol is an angel, as he tells in his first chapter of how an angel came in a dream to Joseph (Matthew 1: 18-25). Gift of Holy Cross Church’s first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
john the evangelist
John’s symbol is the eagle, referencing Jesus’ Ascension into Heaven which the writer mentions three times – John 3:13, John 6:62 and John 20:17. Gift of Holy Cross Church’s first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
st. anne
Grandmother of Jesus and mother of the Virgin Mary, pictured with Jesus as a child. Gift of Mrs. Mary Kuhn
st. charles borremeo
16th Century Archbishop of Milan, he brought reforms to the church, established numerous seminaries and remained in Milan during the plague of 1576, ministering to the sick and feeding sixty to seventy thousand people daily. Gift of Frank Junker and John Meyer
the sacred heart of jesus (restored)
This restored window depicts our Lord’s actual heart as a symbol of His love of all humanity. Gift of Mrs. Charles Witler
The Annunciation
The Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she is to be the mother of Our Savior, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). Gift of Mrs. Anna Marie Epp and Mrs. Rosa Braun
MARK, THE EVANGELIST
Mark’s symbol is the lion, referencing the courage required of Christians and the fact he begins his gospel with the story of John the Baptist appearing in the desert where the wild animals live, “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). Gift of Holy Cross Church’s first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
st. joseph holding the child jesus and lilies
The lilies are symbols of purity and represent Joseph’s holiness and celibate marriage to Mary. Gift of Joseph and Catherine Kaufman
st. cecilia (restored)
Located in the organ loft, named the patron saint of musicians for “she heard heavenly music in her heart.” She converted many to the Christian faith and was martyred on the orders of the Roman Prefect Turcius Almacius. Gift of S. & M. Stumpf and T. & M. Stuntebeck.
king david (see left)
King of Israel and author of many of the Psalms. See Old Testament books 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Gift of Theodore and Elizabeth Scherder
st. helena
Discoverer of the Cross of Jesus and mother of the Emperor Constantine. She holds a Cross and is flanked by St. Peter on her left (holding the key, Matthew 16:19) and St. Paul on her right (holding a scroll, symbolizing his epistles, and a sword, symbolizing his martyrdom by beheading). In the upper part of the window, and angel holds a scroll in Latin that reads, “By this sign you will conquer.” Constantine received a vision of the cross with this message shortly before the Battle of the Milvan Bridge where he defeated the pagan Emperor Maxentius, became Emperor, and converted the Roman Empire to Christianity. Donated by John and Elizabeth Smith
Jesus crucified, mary magdalene at the foot of the cross
This is referenced in all four gospels (Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40, Luke 23:49, John 19:25). Gift of Holy Cross Church’s first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
the sacred heart of mary
This window refers to Mary’s inner joys, sorrows, virtues, perfections and compassionate love for all. Gift of Mrs. Anna Zink
luke
Author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. His symbol is that of an ox, representing sacrifice. Gift of Holy Cross Church’s first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
john the apostle
John, the Apostle at the Cross, a reference to John 19:25 when Jesus said to his mother, “‘Woman, behold your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘behold, your mother.’ And from that hour, the disciple took her into his home.” Gift of Holy Cross’ first Pastor, Fr. Vogtmann
st. catherine of alexandria
4th Century daughter of the Governor of Alexandria, she was a convert to Christianity. During the persecutions of Christians by the Roman Emperor Maxentius, she debated and won over numerous pagan philosophers and orators but was nonetheless condemned to be executed on a breaking wheel. When the wheel miraculously collapsed at her touch, she was then beheaded, hence the symbols of the wheel and the sword. Gift of Mr. Martin and Mrs. Catherine Muller
st. boniface
8th Century missionary, he brought Christianity to the Germans and was martyred while spreading the faith in Frisia (modern Northwestern Germany and Holland). The book he carries symbolizes the Bible and the knife his martyrdom. Gift of Konrad Kern and Henry Hoffmann