Emmanuel's Stained Glass Windows Part 4

In the late 1940's it was decided that there would be stained glass windows in the new sanctuary.

I'm sure that somewhere in the archives of the history of Emmanuel there is a record of the naming of a committee – after all Baptists are known for forming committees for about any occasion. I'm sure that the chairman was probably a Bolton, (but again I speculate). I picture them gathered all together on the first floor of our three story educational building, which we call Weems Hall, formerly the Fellowship hall, as they thought deeply about the new sanctuary that was to be built and how they wanted it to be glorious for the community as well as a tribute to God. I'm sure there was discussion as to whether they should have a fund raising campaign or if individual members would cover the cost of such windows. Well, the windows were eventually purchased by the church with plans for individual members to purchase all or part of them as memorials, as best as I can understand. A plaque was to be placed under each window to indicate who purchased and to whom the memorial was for. As the discussion became more verbal, I'm sure they formed another committee to decide the design of the plaques. Since Jacoby Glass Company would not allow us to place a plaque under each window until all the windows were completed and installed and since it was unclear as to what windows would be purchased and when, the committee decided that the plaques would be at the back of the sanctuary.

Our beautiful Gothic Sanctuary was to have twenty windows total. 

 An example of one of the upper windows.

 Jesus triumphal entry on Palm Sunday.

                                                           

After discussions with Jacoby and the committee the designs were agreed upon and work began in St. Louis, Mo.  The lower section would consist of Jesus' life from the announcement of his birth until he ascended to heaven, while the upper windows would depict the parables.

However, there was a fly in the soup. 

Somewhere the ladies of the Women's Missionary Union noted that the building would be missing a window on the West side, opposite the bell tower. There were ten windows plus the bell tower on the East side but the ten windows on the West side had a blank spot toward the front of the sanctuary on the Jackson Street side, upper level. There needed to be an extra window to balance the space with the bell tower. I can imagine the discussion that went over that little flaw. And, I can imagine that there was much discussion. into the night. during a business meeting. Well, as anyone knows, you do not cross the WMU ladies when they have a bee in their bonnet. 

They immediately began raising money to purchase one more window. Which they did and helped plan. This window, although similar in design to the other on the upper level still had it's own individual features. 

 

  I'm highlighting this window because it is of special interest to our congregation because it is personal to our church.

 So, although this is out of order, I want to talk about the wonderful WMU window that nobody really gets to see. It is located above the stairs, leading to the balcony, on the West side. 

Symbols of note: 

Top left: Young Women's Auxillary

Center top left:  Sunbeams

Center top right:  Girl's Auxillary 

Top right:  Royal Ambassadors

Lower left:  Women's Missionary Union S.B.C. 1888

 I'm sorry that I can't show a clearer picture of these symbols.

The Great Commission. Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The plaque says: “In tribute to the faithful service of the women and young people of Emmanuel Baptist Church. Women's Missionary Union”.
The basic design is the same as in the other upper windows. But instead of the red trio of stylized flowers above the two panels and the trefoil at the top, we have the symbols of the Young Women's Auxiliary, The Sunbeams, The Girl's Axillary, and the Royal Ambassadors.

 

 I can imagine, also, that the deacons in the late 1940's were not too pleased that the WMU was standing up for what they believed, and I'm sure they would have opposed such a move except for the fact that their women, probably, threatened going on strike at home by withholding meals or whatever. Today, we should be proud of the WMU for standing their ground, because this is a great window and the sanctuary windows look balanced when viewed from the exterior.

These ladies were leading the way for Missions in our church and even through the years, Emmanuel has always reached out to Missions.

The windows on the upper level on the East side are:

Jesus calling his disciples, "Come, I will make you fishers of men."  Matthew 4:19

(cropped right side of the window)

Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. "I will give you living water." John 4 

(cropped left side of the window)

Parable of the sower of seeds.  Luke 8:4-15

(complete window)

Jesus healing the blind man.  John 9

(cropped left side of window)

Jesus calming the sea.  Mark 4: 35-41 

(complete window)

The windows on the Upper level on the West side are:

The great commission.  Carrying the message of salvation to all nations.  Matthew 28:!6-20

(complete window)

Parable of the good Samaritan.  "Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:25-37

(complete window)

Jesus at Bethany with Mary and Martha.  Luke 10:38-42

(sorry, but I did not have a picture)

"Let the little children come unto me for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14

(cropped left side of window)

Widow's Mite.  Luke 21:1-4

(sorry, but I did not have a picture)

Jesus' triumphal entry on Palm Sunday.  Matthew 21:1-17

(cropped left side of window)

Thank you for allowing me to post about the Stained glass windows at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Alexandria, Louisiana. I hope it was informative and that you got to see and enjoy the beauty I see every Sunday morning.  

© Nippy Blair 2015. Posts and pictures on this blog cannot be copied, downloaded, printed, or used without the permission of the blog owner, Nippy Blair.