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Miller Chapel
This is Montview’s most symbolic and most complex stained glass window. This window has a strange history as it contains literally dozens of Christian and Pre-Christian symbols which faithfully represent the basis for and the meaning to this faith community.
DAHLIA STREET MONTVIEW BLVD
EUDORA STREET
MILLER CHAPEL WINDOW
A magnificent window is located in the Miller Chapel, formerly the “Auditorium” where Montview’s congregation worshiped for 40 years. This window, with its indescribable hues of blue, contains twelve tracery windows, each one containing a symbol of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. The central panel depicts the theme of the window Matthew 25:40: “And the kings will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’” Designed and built in 1952 by the Willett Art Glass Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the window is rich in meaning as well as beautiful in design and coloring. The Miller Chapel window is Montview’s most complex window and it certainly has the most interesting history as far as the circumstances under which it came about. The Minutes of the Building Committee of 1918, during the time of the construction of the Auditorium and Tower Building, reflect the fact that the window we now see in place was paid in full in 1918, but, owing to a stipulation in the contract related to the architect for the building [To the effect] “no window containing pictures is to be placed in the Auditorium until after the death of the architect” – thirty plus years went by before the architect died in the early 1950s and the window was finally fabricated. It was at that time that the money which had been escrowed for all those years was used to pay for the window. The window was finally installed in 1952. The Montview congregation continued to worship in the Auditorium for only another six years prior to moving to the “new sanctuary” in January 1958.
Matthew 25:40
This window has twelve tracery windows, each containing a symbol of the twelve apostles of Jesus: Matthias (chosen by lot to take Judas Iscariot’s place among the twelve), Matthew, Thomas, Phillip, Andrew, John, Peter, James the Greater, Bartholomew, James the Less, Jude, and Simon. The complexity of the window includes a shield for each apostle that represents the method by which it is traditionally thought each of the apostles traveled, preached and met his martyrdom – stoned, beheaded, crucified. Additionally, there is a section of the window which is symbolic of the sacraments of the church and the elements – grapes and wheat for Communion, the scallop shell, the dove, and the Chi Rho of Christ are symbolic of Baptism.
Lastly, the life and teaching and immortality of Christ is shown using the symbol Agnus Dei (Lamb of God, the open Bible and lamp (ministry) and the cross penetrating the crown with the IHC which symbolizes the crucifixion, resurrection and everlasting life. Many people, after savoring and enjoying time spent looking at the Miller Chapel window, come away with a one word description of the window – “BLUE.” The original 1952 document with directions from Montview Church to the Willett Stained Glass Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, indicates the following about the window in the Miller Chapel – “Chancel window, 7 lancets, 3 center lancets: Christ, “Come Unto Me,” surrounded by symbols representing Matthew 25:35-36. Side lancets: symbols of the Four Evangelists, the Baptism, Communion. Traceries: symbols of the 12 apostles.” The program for the 1952 dedication ceremony indicates the following: “This Memorial Window for the Chancel was given to Montview Church by Mr. and Mrs. J.J. Hall in memory of their daughter Dorothy and son Richard…It is rich in meaning as well as beautiful in design and coloring. We hope the worship experience for all will be enriched…As the light falls through this beautiful window, may the spirit of the living Christ be more real to you.”
