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Windows From Scripture
by Glenn Harrison
Our church’s stained glass windows were crafted by the Povey Brothers of Portland over 100 years ago. They used glass from England, France, and Belgium as well as some from Italy and Germany. David Povey colored nearly all of the windows himself. The windows were handpainted using special pigments, then fired like fine china. Eighteen windows are reproductions or adaptations of famous paintings.
The pictures in this gallery were taken by photographer Hal Schalles. To read a description of each click on an image below. Descriptions of each window came from Glenn Harrison's booklet, "Windows from Scripture". The biblical passages are from the New International Version by Zondervan.
"He is Risen"
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus of the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
This window is dedicated to the Rev. E.J. Thompson, and was placed here in his memory by the the Knights Templar and friends. Dr. Thompson was at one time president of the Albany College. He served as minister in Albany, Corvallis, Independence, and Salem. Mrs. William Fortmiller was his daughter, and he was the grandfather of Edwin Fortmiller and Mrs. Ralph Cronise.
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus of the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
This window is dedicated to the Rev. E.J. Thompson, and was placed here in his memory by the the Knights Templar and friends. Dr. Thompson was at one time president of the Albany College. He served as minister in Albany, Corvallis, Independence, and Salem. Mrs. William Fortmiller was his daughter, and he was the grandfather of Edwin Fortmiller and Mrs. Ralph Cronise.
"The Rich Ruler"
Luke 18-30
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good ~except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother."
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"
"I tell you the truth, "Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
This window is dedicated to Judge Lawrence and Cynthia Flinn, and was placed in the church at the request of their daughters.
Judge Flinn's son-in-law, Dr. A.C. Schmitt, who spoke at the 75th Anniversary celebration of the church, was very active in building the church. Judge Lawrence and Cynthia Flinn had three daughters: Mrs. Orpha Flinn Schmitt, Mrs. Anna Hunt and Mrs. Will Barrett (Mother of Bob Barrett and Mrs. Paul Murphy.) This window was "signed" and dated Dec. 1912.
A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good ~except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother."
"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?"
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!"
"I tell you the truth, "Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."
This window is dedicated to Judge Lawrence and Cynthia Flinn, and was placed in the church at the request of their daughters.
Judge Flinn's son-in-law, Dr. A.C. Schmitt, who spoke at the 75th Anniversary celebration of the church, was very active in building the church. Judge Lawrence and Cynthia Flinn had three daughters: Mrs. Orpha Flinn Schmitt, Mrs. Anna Hunt and Mrs. Will Barrett (Mother of Bob Barrett and Mrs. Paul Murphy.) This window was "signed" and dated Dec. 1912.
"Christ Knocking at the Door"
Revelation 3:19-22
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
The north balcony of the sanctuary contains this window painting, "Christ Knocking at the Door," by Hofmann.
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
The north balcony of the sanctuary contains this window painting, "Christ Knocking at the Door," by Hofmann.
"The Ascension"
Luke 24:50-53
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
This window is the Sears Memorial. Mr. Sears was the owner of the Albany Planing Mill, C.W. Sears and Son. He was very much interested in seeing that the woodwork was smooth and beautiful. All of the windows were placed and framed by the Albany Planning Mill.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Sears were members of the church. Mrs. Sears taught in the Sunday School and gave lovely parties for the children.
Mrs. Alton Coates was a member of her class. Ed Sears, the son, continued in the business after his father's death.
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.
While he was blessing them he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
This window is the Sears Memorial. Mr. Sears was the owner of the Albany Planing Mill, C.W. Sears and Son. He was very much interested in seeing that the woodwork was smooth and beautiful. All of the windows were placed and framed by the Albany Planning Mill.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Sears were members of the church. Mrs. Sears taught in the Sunday School and gave lovely parties for the children.
Mrs. Alton Coates was a member of her class. Ed Sears, the son, continued in the business after his father's death.
"Do Not Hold On To Me"
John 20:11-18
Then the disciples went back to their home, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, "Woman why are you crying?"
They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that is was Jesus.
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabbonie!" (which means Teacher).
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had side these things to her.
This window in the Pfeiffer Room tells this story of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection.
It is dedicated to France Barbara Pfeiffer, who lived from 1903 to 1923.
She was the daughter of Franz and Alice Pfeiffer. Barbara had rather fragile health, but she played the piano well, was a Sunday School teacher, and was engaged to be married at the time of her death at the age of twenty.
It late 1913, the church was assessed for the paving of Fifth Avenue. Franz Pfeiffer headed the men's banquet given to raise funds for the assessment. The Franz Pfeiffer home at 530 Ferry St. was left to the church and used for classes and for several years as a manse. Dr. Morton L. Booth, minister of the church from 1946 to 1974 then Pastor Emeritus lived at the manse from 1947 to 1957, In the 1940's efforts were made to obtain furnishings from the manse and other locations to furnish the Pfeiffer room as a church parlor.
Then the disciples went back to their home, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, "Woman why are you crying?"
They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that is was Jesus.
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabbonie!" (which means Teacher).
Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had side these things to her.
This window in the Pfeiffer Room tells this story of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene after the Resurrection.
It is dedicated to France Barbara Pfeiffer, who lived from 1903 to 1923.
She was the daughter of Franz and Alice Pfeiffer. Barbara had rather fragile health, but she played the piano well, was a Sunday School teacher, and was engaged to be married at the time of her death at the age of twenty.
It late 1913, the church was assessed for the paving of Fifth Avenue. Franz Pfeiffer headed the men's banquet given to raise funds for the assessment. The Franz Pfeiffer home at 530 Ferry St. was left to the church and used for classes and for several years as a manse. Dr. Morton L. Booth, minister of the church from 1946 to 1974 then Pastor Emeritus lived at the manse from 1947 to 1957, In the 1940's efforts were made to obtain furnishings from the manse and other locations to furnish the Pfeiffer room as a church parlor.
"The Madonna of the Chair"
This window is located in the Pastor's study and was inspired by the "The Madonna of the Chair" painting by Raphael. Raphael searched for a model when one day he saw a seated peasant woman holding a boy in her lap. He sketched the picture with a pencil on a barrel head.
Sanzio Raphael (1483-1520) at the age of 25, was commissioned to design and paint large frescoes on some of the Vatican halls. Twelve years later, after painting 52 scenes, he became ill and died. "The Madonna of the Chair" hangs in the Pitti Palace in Florence.
The window is in memory of Dr. Armstrong Bennett Dill and was given by his grandson, George Matthew Dill Geselbracht.
Sanzio Raphael (1483-1520) at the age of 25, was commissioned to design and paint large frescoes on some of the Vatican halls. Twelve years later, after painting 52 scenes, he became ill and died. "The Madonna of the Chair" hangs in the Pitti Palace in Florence.
The window is in memory of Dr. Armstrong Bennett Dill and was given by his grandson, George Matthew Dill Geselbracht.
Psalm 95:4
"In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him."
"Christ in the Temple"
Luke 2:41-50
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day.
Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at this understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
"Why were you searching for me?' he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
This window is located in the small kitchen next to the Pastor's study, illustrates Jesus as a boy. The inspiration came from the painting "Christ in the Temple" by
Heinrich Johann Hofmann.
The window was placed in the church in memory of Hermann Geselbracht by his sons and daughters. He was the father of Dr. Geselbracht, pastor of the church from 1908 to 1917 during the time it was build. Herman Geselbracht lived from 1823 until 1889.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day.
Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
Everyone who heard him was amazed at this understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
"Why were you searching for me?' he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
This window is located in the small kitchen next to the Pastor's study, illustrates Jesus as a boy. The inspiration came from the painting "Christ in the Temple" by
Heinrich Johann Hofmann.
The window was placed in the church in memory of Hermann Geselbracht by his sons and daughters. He was the father of Dr. Geselbracht, pastor of the church from 1908 to 1917 during the time it was build. Herman Geselbracht lived from 1823 until 1889.
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