Stained Glass Windows- 10 Pictorial Windows
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First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, includes a sanctuary graced by the beauty of ten stained glass windows that were installed at the time the church was constructed in 1926. They convey in their scenes some of the major highlights and teachings in the life of Jesus, from his birth to his ascension into heaven.

Most of these portraits of Jesus in stained glass are reproductions of paintings of well-known artists. The George Hardy Payne Studios of Paterson, New Jersey, created the windows in the Tiffany style. Opalescent glass in rich jewel tones allows mellow light to flood the sanctuary. To achieve an effect of three dimensionality, multiple layers of glass are fired and fused; molded glass simulates folds and shadow. Skin and hair are painted by hand, and then fired. These windows are precious today and irreplaceable.

Docent-led tours of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper recreated in stained glass are available every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M.  Give yourself, your friends, or club the opportunity to learn the story behind the artist and his Renaissance masterpiece.  Special tours may be scheduled by contacting the church office.

NEW!! NOTE CARDS
Beautiful note cards depicting all 10 stained glass windows are now available.
See a Docent or call the church office.

Photography by Joel Cocker.

THE NATIVITY
An FUMC Sanctuary Window

The Nativity, from a painting by the German artist Feurestein, is based on Luke 2:1-2 and Matthew 2:10-11. Luke’s passage includes the story of the shepherds. Matthew’s account describes the coming of the wise men from the East.
Feurestein places the holy family closely together, giving a sense of strong physical and emotional bonds. Jesus sits quietly in his mother’s lap, while Mary calmly holds him to her heart. Joseph, the earthly father, stands protectively behind them. Jesus’ swaddling clothes of white and Mary’s dress of white and blue signify purity and holiness. Their three halos surely indicate that God is with them.
A young shepherd, simply dressed, kneels at the feet of Jesus. In awesome respect, he removes his hat and lays his staff on the ground. The bearded wise man clasps his hands in a prayerful attitude.
Matthew does not number the magi, but tradition teaches three because there were three gifts. The first was gold, a gift for a king. Biblical scholar Barclay states, “He was to reign, not by force but by love; and he was to rule over men’s hearts, not from a throne but from a cross.”
The second gift was frankincense, a gift from a priest, a bridge builder. Jesus built a bridge between man and God; he was the bridge.
The third gift, myrrh, was a gift for one who was to die, as Jesus came to live and die for us. These gifts at the cradle of Christ foretold King, Priest, Savior.
 

The nativity window illustrates also the beloved writings of John in Chapter 1:1, 14.
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…..”