The Memorial Windows of First United Methodist Church, Angleton, Texas
were created by Mrs. Virginia Dunn, a renowned artist from San Antonio,
Texas. The manufacturer was Orco Glass Company of San Antonio. The
completion date was April 1971.
These windows are one of a kind and cannot be copied without permission
of the church.
All the windows are “leaded glass” with the exception of the window over
the front entrance. This is made of “faceted” glass.
Come Unto Me
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest”. Matthew 11:28
This window depicts Jesus Christ with open arms inviting the people
to “Come Unto Me.” On his right are four symbols, a descending dove,
a staff, an open bible and the Alpha and Omega. On his left are
two symbols, the cross with a crown and an olive branch.
This window was given by Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Jackson in memory of
their beloved son, J. G. Jackson, Jr.
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The Creation Of Man
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”
Genesis 2:7
This window is similar to Michael Angelo’s painting of
the creation of man in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. It shows God
touching a lifeless man and giving him life.
Dr. and Mrs. Warren
Hardwick gave this window in memory of her father, Mr. A. O. Walker.
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Abraham
“And he (the angel of the Lord) Said, Lay not thine hand upon the
lad, neither do thy anything unto him: for now I know that thou
fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son
from me.”
Genesis 22:12
Abraham, the father of our faith, is shown ready to kill his own son
as a sacrifice to God. The alter is ready and he has a knife in his
hand. He believes this is what God wants him to do. God does stop
him and commends him for his faith.
The window was given by Mrs. Lula P. Murray and her daughter, Miss
Lavinia Murray in memory of the late Mr. and Mrs. George Pattison.
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Moses
“And Moses called all Israel and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the
statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye
may learn them and keep and do them”. Deuteronomy 5:1
Moses is pictured here with the replica of the Ten Commandments.
Mrs. Ada Snow gave this window in loving memory of her parents,
Edward Burleson and Edith Jane Cannon.
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The Burning Bush
“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out
of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned
with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” Exodus 3:2
This window was given by Mrs. Ada Snow, Mr. Joe H. Snow, Jr. and his
family in memory of Mr. Joe. H. Snow. Sr.
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David
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of
his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that
day forward.” I Samuel 16:13
David the regal king is shown with his robes of office and the harp
which made him famous.
Mr. and Mrs. George Roberts gave this window in loving memory of
their parents and Mr. Walter Bascom Munson.
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The Star of David
David, the son of Jesse, was a leading figure among the herdsmen
about Bethlehem in the grazing country south of Jerusalem. He was
anointed to be king, as substitute for Saul, an enmity between them,
and their respective followers lasted throughout David’s life. He
succeeded to the throne of Judah soon after Saul’s death (2 Samuel
2:4)
David is probably the outstanding and best known character of the
Old Testament, and his history embraces no less than forty-two
chapters from 1 Samuel 16 to 1 Kings 3. To him are attributed some
seventy-three of the one hundred fifty Psalms. To the Jews, he is
to this day a hero and an inspiration, and his six-pointed star-like
emblem is one of their most frequently used symbols.
The “Star of David” window was given by Mr. Ben Cannan in memory of
his lovely wife, Mrs. Jeannette B. Cannan.
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Isaiah
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The might God, The everlasting Father, The
prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6
Isaiah the prophet who told of the coming of the son of God is
pictured with a copy of his prophecy.
Mr. and Mrs. Dave Evans gave this window in loving memory of their
respective parents.
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The Rose OF Sharon
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys”. Song of
Solomon 2:1
Sharon (Saron) is the seacoast plain between Joppa and Mount
Carmel. It is a little more than fifty miles in length and varies
in width from eight to twelve miles. The southern portion is a more
fruitful, but the entire area is noted for the profusion of its
flowers. The rose of Sharon is thought to be a type of narcissus.
This window was given by Mrs. J. G. Gill in loving memory of her
husband, Mr. J. G. Gill.
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The Rose Window
“Then cometh Jesus with them (the disciples) unto a place called
Gethsemane, and said unto the disciples, sit ye here, while I go and
pray yonder”. St. Matthew 26:36
The “Rose Window” is high with symbolism, It is above the alter.
Jesus is kneeling and praying for guidance and strength to bear the
coming arrest, trial and crucifixion. Around the figure of Christ
the wheat and grapes are seen, symbols of the bread and wine of Holy
Communion. The cock was the sign Peter understood too well. The
lantern, swards and gate are symbols of the soldiers coming to
arrest him. The disciples slumbering are symbols of human weakness
and frailty.
Mr. and Mrs. George Roberts gave this window in honor and memory of
the early women of the Church who from the beginning have
contributed greatly to the work of the Methodist Church in Angleton
and around the world, and who left such rich heritage in the
memories of the children whom they taught and whose character they
molded.
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The Nativity
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which
is Christ the Lord”. Luke 2:11
The window shows Mary the Mother of Jesus, holding Jesus in her arms
in the stable. The star announcing his birth and two shepherds are
in the background.
This window was given by Mrs. DeLila Helton in loving memory of her
husband, Mr. Don Helton.
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The Cross And The Branch
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians
1:18
“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious,
and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them
that are escaped of Israel.” Isaiah 4:2
The window was given by Mrs. L. B. Outlar in memory of her
grandmother, Mrs. Nannie Brooks Stafford.
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Jesus At The Temple
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the
temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors (teachers), both hearing
them, and asking them questions”. St. Luke 2:46
Jesus is portrayed in the temple at the age of twelve, talking and
discussing with the priests and wise men.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fonville gave this window in honor of their
children and Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Newell.
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Torah
The Torah was originally a parchment scroll containing the
Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament. It was later
the whole body of Jewish religious literature, including the
Scripture as well as the Talmud, the writings which constitute the
body of early Jewish civil and religious law.
This window was given by Mrs. Mildred Clement and her children,
Michael Clement and Loretta Hughes, in memory of her husband and
their father Mr. Loren H. Clement.
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The Miracle By The Sea
“But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, be of good cheer; it
is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou; bid me come
unto thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he
walked on the water, to go to Jesus.” St. Matthew 14:27-29
The miracle by Jesus is shown here as he stands on the boat and
peter looks toward him for help after walking on the water.
Mrs. Lula Murray gave this window in loving memory of her husband
Mr. Joseph Lee Murray.
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The Fish And Nets
“Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into
the sea, and gathered of every kind:
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and
gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.” St. Matthew
13:47-48
The window “The Fish and Nets” was given by Mr. and Mrs. Elmer
Cannon and Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Coleman in honor of their
grandchildren and children, Stephen, Lamar, and Martin Coleman.
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The Crucifixion
“Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And
they took Jesus, and led Him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth unto a place called the place of
the skull, which is called in Hebrew Golgotha.
Where they crucified him, and the other with him, on either side
one, and Jesus in the midst.” St. John 19:16-18
Jesus is shown carrying his cross to be crucified.
Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wollam gave this window in memory and honor of their
parents.
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The Cross And The Robe
“And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from
him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify
him.” St. Matthew 27:31
This window was given in honor of Mrs. W. S. (Dessie) Millington by
the Mary Martha Sunday School Class.
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The Resurrection
“In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to down toward the first day
of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the
sepulcher.
And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord
descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the
door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women. Fear not ye: for I
know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen as he said. Come, see the place
where the Lord lay.” St Matthew 28:1-6
Mrs. A. L. Hammond gave this window in memory of her husband, Mr. A.
L. Hammond.
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The Crown And Alpha and Omega
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a
crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the
Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 1:8
This window was given by Mrs. Bolton Outlar, Sr. in loving memory of
her parents, Charles S. Bennett and Jeanetta Stafford Bennett.
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Summary
As you enter the sanctuary, the first window on the
right depicts the creation of man. The original of this
interpretation is found on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome
and was painted by Michael Angelo.
The Second window begins the story of the Old Testament represented
by Abraham, the father of our faith and of the Israelites.
The next three windows contain the Old Testament theme, with the
smaller window under each of the Old Testament characters depicting
something about each personality. These include “Moses” and “The
Burning Bush”, “David” and “The Star Of David” and “Isaiah” and “The
Rose of Sharon.” Isaiah points the way into the New Testament
through his many prophecies of the coming Messiah.
As you stand facing the congregation, the New Testament theme begins
on your right. These include “The Nativity” and “The Cross With The
Branch”, “Jesus At the Temple” and “Torah”, “The miracle By The Sea”
and “The Fish And Nets”, The Crucifixion” and “The Cross And The
Robe”, and finally, “The Resurrection” and “The crown and Alpha and
Omega”.
High above the Alter is the “Rose Window” which shows Jesus
Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. As you turn and face the
congregation, you can get the full beauty of the window above the
entrance which beckons everyone to “Come Unto Me”
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Chapel Windows
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Bob Sinclair
Listen!
