STAINED GLASS WINDOWS

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Burlingame, Calif

Wood Carvings
in the Narthex and Nave

Information about Trinity's Crucifix

The Stained Glass Windows were Dedicated on Trinity Sunday -- June 9, 1968

All windows have been given to the glory of God and in memory of loved ones. They were designed and installed by John Wallis & Associates of Pasadena, California. The design description of the windows was presented to Trinity on August 28, 1967. The side aisle window were estimated to cost $220 each; the circle window over the organ estimate was $300; the larger windows in the nave were estimated at $875 each; a general cost per square foot for all indows was $158. Construction materials included "proper lead and reinforcements of sufficient strength along with installation and waterproofing."

The clerestory or upper windows are nine in number, four on the right in nave and chancel, five on the left, including one in the choir loft. In addition, there is a circle window in the center of the choir loft above the organ.

The progression of the thematic materials in these windows is such that they have their center in the "Rose Window" above the altar, the Resurrection Window.

As one enters the church he will note that the four windows to the right of it portray scenes from the life of our Lord -- the Incarnation, Christ the Teacher, Christ the Healer, and Christ the Redeemer. The Resurrection Window presents the living Christ who is also the life of His Body, the Holy Christian Church.

All the windows to the left, beginning with the chancel window, portray the Church in its various functions as the Body of Christ -- the Church as the dispenser of the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Holy Baptism, the Church as teacher, the Church in its mission role, the Church at worship.

The circle window in the choir loft portrays the Holy Trinity and is therefore a constant reminder of the name of our church and of our dedication to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

The theme of the six small aisle windows on the right -- five in the nave and one in the narthex -- is derived from one of the ancient canticles of the Church, the Te Deum Laudamus. The canticle is found in the Order of Matins in The Lutheran Hymnal. The progression of the theme is to be viewed from left to right, beginning with the window nearest the pulpit and ending with the one in the narthex.

Each window contains in lettering a key phrase from the Te Deum and one or more symbols illustrating the phrase.

Uniting the windows artistically, the Lord God, the object of our praise, is symbolized in all the windows by the Sunburst, one of the most ancient of His symbols. In the first five windows only a portion of the Sunburst is shown, but in the last window the total Sunburst is the very heart of the window.

The first window states the theme of praise, the next four indicate who does this praising, and the last one is the epilogue, stating the eternity of our praise.

The aisle windows are balanced on the left side by five ecclesiastical wood carvings, beginning with the one in the narthex above the doors and progressing along the left aisle in the nave. The theme of these carvings is derived from another ancient canticle, the Venite, a portion of Psalm 95. This canticle is also found in the Order of Matins.

The carvings are the gift of the Ladies' Aid Society in memory of members who have been called to their eternal rest. They were designed and installed by John Immel of South San Francisco, California.

THE CLERESTORY WINDOWS

(A) The Incarnation

This window depicts Mary and Joseph with the holy Infant. At the top is the Messianic Rose, symbol of the prophecy of the coming of the Savior. The lettering, John 1:14, is a reminder of God's great Gift to humanity.

(B) Christ the Teacher

In memory of Claus E, Rudelius (father of Mrs. Forrest S. Glazier)

Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Glazier

This window is carried out entirely in symbolism. The central symbol is the Chi Rho atop the mountain with an indication of the Sea of Galilee at its base, representing the Sermon on the Mount. The Maltese Cross in the lower right is symbolic of the Beatitudes. The Wheat and Tares and the Ten Lamps, five of which are lighted, illustrate two of our Lord's parables. The Tablets of the Law with only the numerals I and II refer to His teaching of the two great commandments. The lettering, Matthew 13:9, serves as an admonition.

(C) Christ the Healer

In memory of David Howard Dusham (son of Mr. and Mrs. David W. Dusham)

Presented by Mr. and Mrs. David W. Dusham

This window shows a figure seated beside his crutch, reaching toward Christ in mute appeal. Our Lord is reaching toward him in blessing and as if to help him rise. The cross symbolizes the faith which is a necessary part of healing. The olive branch is the traditional symbol of healing.

(D) Christ the Redeemer

In memory of Roland William Abraham, Sr. (husband of Mrs. Roland W. Abraham, Sr.)

Presented by Mrs. Roland William Abraham, Sr., loved ones, and friends

This window tells of our redemption through the crucifixion, with two small crosses in the background. Also shown are two symbols: the Pomegranate, traditional symbol of the Resurrection, and the Butterfly, traditional symbol of Eternal Life.

(E) The Church and Holy Communion

In memory of Adolph Barthold Henning

Presented by loved ones and friends

This Sacrament is portrayed by our Lord's presence and two kneeling figures, one in humble gratitude for the blessing received, the other in joyous anticipation of it. The Sacrament is depicted by the traditional symbols of Wheat and Grapes.

(F) The Church and Holy Baptism

In memory of James Raymond Alberts, Sr., D.C. (husband of Mrs. James R. Alberts', Sr.)

Presented by Mrs. James Raymond Alberts, Sr., Dr. and Mrs. James R. Alberts, Jr., loved ones, and friends

This Sacrament is portrayed completely in symbolism. Centered in the window is the Font, and above this is the Dove of the Holy Spirit. At the lower right is a stream of water and two fishes, traditional symbol of Baptism. In the lettering, John 3:5, our Lord speaks to us of the necessity of Holy Baptism.

(G) The Church and Christian Education

In memory of Anna Krase Henning

Presented by loved ones and friends

Christian Education, which is not limited to childhood, is shown by three generations of a family listening to their minister. The symbol at the bottom is the traditional Lamp of Christian knowledge. The seven flames symbolize the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

(H) The Church and Missions

In memory of Jurgen Albrecht Junge and Anna Maria Junge (parents of Mr. Albert F. H. Junge) and Rudolph W. Rust and Minnie Rust (parents of Mrs. Albert F. H. Junge)

Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Albert F. H. Junge

The concept of home and foreign missions is indicated by a layman offering bread and a cup of water to children of various races, The symbol at the top is a tent stretched wide to offer shelter and is derived from Isaiah 54:2.

(I) The Church and Worship

Undesignated

Worship is expressed in prayer and praise, as shown by the kneeling figure and the standing, singing figure. From the censer at the bottom, traditional symbol of prayer, the smoke rises to mingle with the first words of Martin Luther's great hymn. The lettering, Romans 12:1, is a reminder of the essence of worship in its fullest sense.

(J) The Holy Trinity

In memory of Frank William Roepke, Jr. (brother of Mr. Carl F. Roepke, Sr.)

Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Frank Roepke, Sr.

The circle window is devoted to the Trinity, the name which our church bears. This is expressed by a combination of symbols rather than by one of the usual formal Trinity symbols. The Burning Bush is dominant, and in the flames are small symbols of the members of the Trinity: the Hand of God, the Rose of Sharon, the Chi Rho, the Dove, and the Seven-fold Flame.

THE AISLE WINDOWS

(1) "We Praise Thee, 0 God"

In memory of George William Edler, Sr. (husband of Mrs. George William Edler, Sr. and father of Mr. George William Edler, Jr. and Mrs. Robert H. Knollin)

Presented by Mrs. George William Edler, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. George William Edler, Jr.,
and Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Knollin

Shofar (horn) and lyre.

(2) "To Thee All Angels Cry Aloud"

In memory of Harold George Boese (husband of Mrs. Harold George Boese)

Presented by Mrs. Harold George Boese

Angels’ wings.

(3) "The Glorious Company of the Apostles Praise Thee"

In memory of Joyce Doyle (sister of Mrs. Katherine Blackford).

Presented by Mrs. Katherine Blackford

The Spiritus Gladius, symbol of the great apostle, Paul

(4) "The Noble Army of Martyrs Praise Thee"

In memory of Joyce Doyle (aunt of Miss June Blackford)

Presented by Miss June Blackford

The palm of martyrdom

(5) "The Holy Church Throughout the World Doth Acknowledge Thee"

In memory of Gerhard and Anna Bruns. (parents of Miss Emily Bruns)

Presented by Miss Emily Bruns

The Ship of the Church on the sea shaped like the globe of the earth.

(6) "We Worship Thy Name Ever, World without End."

A censer with smoke ascending to mingle with the rays of the Sunburst.

The Resurrection Window
(Rose Window)


Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Barthold Stelling
In memory of Walter Stelling
(son of Mr. and Mrs. Barthold Stelling)


Dedicated on Trinity Sunday, May 27, 1956

This window was designed by Cummings Studios of San Francisco on May 2, 1956. This was the only window designed by Cummings.

In the very center of the window is the Lamb of God from the Book of Revelation. The Lamb, our Lord, is seen triumphant over death, His victory symbolized by the banner resting over His shoulder, the white banner bearing a ruby cross. The Lamb is placed on a field of deep ruby-red, the symbolic color of martyrdom.

Emanating from the center symbol are twelve petals forming the traditional rose form. The top petal contains the symbol of the Holy Trinity. The central petals, on left and right, contain the monograms of our Lord -- on the left the Chi (X) and Rho (P), the first letters of the word Christ, and on the right the IHC, the first letters of the Greek word for Jesus.

On the bottom petal is the coat of arms of Martin Luther, the silver rose ensigned with the red heart bearing the sable cross.

Eight glowing flames are symbols of regeneration through divine love. The green leaves are symbolic of mankind's hope of salvation through faith in Christ.
The field of the window is composed of varied blue glasses, blue being the color of divine wisdom

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