Barrett Chapel

The unique windows in the Barrett Memorial Chapel (named for Dr. William L. Barrett, Montview’s fourth pastor) were designed using faceted glass. Colored molten glass is cast into molds to form slabs of varying thickness, giving depth to the figures portrayed. These slabs are cut out according to a pattern, the inner surface of each piece chiseled to give a richness and jewel-like quality to the glass. No paint is used. The glass is set in concrete instead of lead. The windows in the Barrett Chapel were designed and installed by the Cummings Stained Glass Studios, San Francisco, California.

The stained glass windows in the Barrett Memorial Chapel are very different from all other stained glass windows in the Montview Church building. While they contain considerable iconography their construction makes the windows much more abstract, therefore less realistic. This lends opportunities for those who study, savor and enjoy the windows to interpret each window in his or her way.

MONTVIEW BLVD

DAHLIA STREET EUDORA STREET

THE QUERY OF CHRIST

The Query. The story begins with the single lancet over the chancel. Here is seen the figure of Christ Triumphant, asking the question put to his disciples in Mark 8:29, “But who do you say that I am?” The right hand of Christ is upraised in blessing, the left hand holding an orb and a cross, signifying his lordship over the whole world. In the lower right hand of this lancet are a staff and the Chi Rho symbol. In the lower left hand of the lancet are three white lilies, a symbol of the resurrection. The Two Answers. Two answers are given to the query in the chancel window. Man’s answer is given in the six lancets beginning on the north wall nearest the chancel; God’s response is given in the six lancets beginning on the south wall nearest the chancel.

“But who do you say that I am?”

Mark 8:29

MAN’S ANSWER

WINDOW I

SECOND LANCET

Peter is shown with one hand over his face, the other in a gesture of denial, the crowing cock in the upper right hand of the window. “I do not know him.”

FIRST LANCET

Peter is shown kneeling with uplifted hands, looking at the figure of Christ. “Thou art the Christ.”

WINDOW II

SECOND LANCET

Mary Magdalene, kneeling in the garden, is addressing Him as Rabboni, meaning teacher.

FIRST LANCET

Mary Magdalene kneeling and anointing the feet of Jesus in the house of Simon, responds with adoration. Christ’s hand is outreached in a blessing, represented by rays of light.

WINDOW III

SECOND LANCET

Paul on the Damascus road exclaims, “Who art Thou, Lord?”

FIRST LANCET

The father of the paralytic confesses, “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.”

GOD’S ANSWER

WINDOW I

SECOND LANCET

The suffering and crucified Christ. “God so loved the world...”

FIRST LANCET

Christ as God’s gift to man. “This is my beloved Son.” Christ is being baptized in the River Jordan. Above his head is a shell.

WINDOW II

SECOND LANCET

Christ the Evangelist proclaims the good tidings. With the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, Christ preaches for the first time in Nazareth.

FIRST LANCET

The Servant Christ is washing his disciples’ feet.

WINDOW III

SECOND LANCET

The burden-bearing Christ, yoked, saying, “Take my yoke upon you...”

FIRST LANCET

The loving Christ, our living contemporary. “Lo, I am with you always.”

Thank you for visiting.

For more information, please contact: Bob Matchett rrmatch@msn.com

For a digital version of this guide, please scan here:

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