The colonial simplicity of the sanctuary is enriched by an unusual set of memorial windows depicting Biblical characters and figures from ecclesiastical history. The windows portray the history and influence of the Judeo-Christian faith upon the institutions and people of succeeding generations. The general emphasis is on political, intellectual and religios ideas, yet each makes a decisive impression on modern man. For each, life meant a searching after truth and the Most High God. In the men depicted in the windows, we see God shedding his light on our dark way. In the Baut Studios in Kingston, where the windows were created in 1961, some of the full size drawings are emblazoned on the walls because the artists and craftsment who created them consider them "exceptional." Worshippers in St. John's colonial sanctuary are literally surrounded by the history of the Christian Church. The windows are chronologically in order from left to right.
1. ISAIAH - Born in 700 BC was considered one the greatest of early Jewish prophets. This window acknowledges the Judiastic heritage from which the Christian Church developed.
2. JESUS CHRIST - The is the picture of Christ knocking at the door.
3. ST. PAUL - Man of courage, traveler, missionary, it was St. Paul who declared that the Christian must have "grace through faith are you saved."
4. ST. AUGUSTINE - One of the early fathers of the Church, St. Augusting lived from 354 - 430 when the Christian Church moved from the exclusively Jewish setting.
5. ST. FRANCIS - The Troubadour of Christ, who call all creatures his 'brothers and sisters." His preaching to the birds is depicted in the window. Perhaps if you listen, you will hear the songs of the birds as you view St. Francis.
6. MARTIN LUTHER - Luther was the individual who evoked popular and political support for the Reformation and gave it momentum throughout Western Europe.
7. URLICH ZWINGLI - Leader of the Swiss Reformation and precursor of the Swiss Reformed Church.
8. JOHN CALVIN - Under his leadership, the Presbyterian type of Church government was developed, built on the foundations of Luther, Melencthion, Zwingli and others.
9. JOHN DIETRICH AURANDT - Circuit riding minister who founded St. John's Reformed Church.
10. JOHN W. NEVIN - Leader in the development of the seminary at Mercersburg, Pa., one of the oldest seminaries in the United States.
11. DAVID B. SCHNADER - Head of the college at Sendai, Japan, Schnader was an exponent of the missionary movement of the Reformed Church. He wears a medallion conferred upon him by the Japanese government, which bears the words: "Go ye into all the World."
12. GEORGE W. RICHARDS - First President of the Evangelical and Reformed Church. He wears the red robe of his doctorate from the University of Edinburg. He also served as the President of Lancaster Theological Seminary.
FINALLY IN THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH ABOVE THE ALTAR IS A REPLENDENT WINDOW OF CHRIST PRAYING IN GETHSEMANE. THE ROSE WINDOW CARRIES THE MESSAGE TO ALL WHO BEHOLD THE SON OF GOD AS THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD. IT PROVIDES BALM TO THE TROUBLED AND HOPE TO THE SORROWFUL. CHRIST IS THE CENTERPIECE OF THE CHURCH AND OF OUR LIVES.
