The St. Andrew’s sanctuary is the centerpiece of our shared spiritual life and is a living, breathing testament to God. The majesty of this holy place is enriched by a collection of beautiful stained-glass windows that past generations of St. Andrew’s parishioners were inspired to commission. Now, we have the opportunity to build on that legacy by adding a new stained-glass window to anchor the west wall of the sanctuary facing Washington Street.
Our proposed new window is designed by Lyn Hovey who trained under Wilbert Herbert Burnham, the original designer of many of our existing windows. The new design is the culmination of a year-long discernment process by a committee of St. Andrew’s parishioners. The committee met regularly to share ideas and aspirations and to review multiple design concepts, always guided by a vision for the window to reflect our Christ-based beliefs, grounded in our community and history.
The window would replace the existing Porter window installed in 1955 when the sanctuary was expanded out towards Washington Street. John Andrew Porter, our first warden, literally laid the stone foundation upon which our church is built. To honor him, we plan to repurpose the principal design elements of the existing window into new windows in the Transept Chapel.
The creation and installation of a new stained-glass window is a worthy spiritual pursuit. The first stained-glass windows were installed in the St. Andrew’s sanctuary through the generosity of parishioners over a century ago, in 1924. The most recent stained-glass window was added more than 40 years ago. The proposed new window is our generation’s opportunity to enrich this inspiring collection of artistry and beauty. It will serve as a permanent gift to all who follow in our hallowed place of worship. Illuminated in the evening hours from within, it will showcase to the world our open and loving spiritual home.
The theme of the proposed new window, The Emerging Christ, is expressed through an image of Christ with arms outstretched to welcome and embrace all who enter our church. Below Christ are representations of inspirational saints who lived and served Christ in the Anglican tradition over the lifetime of our parish. In their center is a representation of our own beloved St. Andrew, the first-called of the disciples and messenger of Christ. Along the bottom are scenes of children—the life-blood of our church—in acts of worship and godly play. Interspersed throughout are representations of angels, birds, flowers, and other Christian symbols. The window design is a tapestry of love and grace and wonder and celebration.
We have been humbled by this process—which has brought together such a talented and spirited committee with an artist like Lyn Hovey whose hands have been touched by God. May God bless this project and may it be a sign of His everlasting central presence in the life of our church.
Yours in Christ,
Adrian Robbins-Cole and Will Nystrom
Approximate timeline is one year after final design and contract approval. Approximate cost of window and installation is $500,000,
Committee: Will Nystrom, chair; Adrian Robbins-Cole, rector; Megan Burns, Tom Faust and Ginny Snow, wardens; Sam Burns, Stephen Clarke, David Hamlin, Carrie Hawley, Joanna Horobin, Hugh MacArthur, Stephanie Mitchell, Sam Schaefer, and Lynda Sperry.
Window Symbolism
Holy Images and The Trinity
- Paschal lamb: Jesus is the Lamb of God. The lamb with cross symbolizes Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
- Angel with trumpet: Trumpet fanfare announces the arrival of Jesus.
- Jesus: Christ is emerging from the window (note his right shoulder is behind the frame, while his left shoulder is in front) to welcome and embrace all who enter St. Andrew’s. His robe is trimmed with pomegranates, a Jewish tradition for priest’s vestments symbolizing abundance. Jesus is the priest of all priests.
- Angel with portative organ: Honors the role of spiritual music at St. Andrew’s.
5. Father: the hand of God
3. Son: Jesus the Redeemer
6. Holy Spirit: Dove
The Humble Saints These are holy men and women from the global Episcopal/Anglican tradition who have lived over the lifetime of our parish.
- C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)
Author, lay theologian, and defender of the Christian faith. His writings and radio broadcasts inspired millions to lives of faith and Christian virtue. He is depicted seated at a typewriter. The shield above his head includes a microphone, symbolic of his artistic ministry. - Barbara C. Harris (1930-2020)
First woman consecrated a Bishop in the Anglican Communion, serving as suffragan in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. She is depicted in her vestments and carrying a crozier. Her shield includes the cross, symbolic of her charismatic leadership in the Episcopal Church.
Lyn Hovey, founder of Lyn Hovey Studio, Inc., has been working in stained glass for over 60 years. He started his career in Cleveland as an apprentice in the Phillips Stained Glass Studio and was hired as a junior glass painter in the Boston studio of Wilbur Herbert Burnham in 1965. Most of the stained-glass windows at St. Andrew’s, includ-ing the Porter window, are works from the Burnham studio. Lyn established his own studio in 1972 and is the current president and artistic director. The Boston studio is known worldwide for its design excellence in stained-glass and is home to their fabrica-tion and restoration facilities.
- Andrew
Centered below Christ is our patron saint. A model of our church rests in his left hand and a net full of fish in his right, symbolic of his trade as a fisherman and the bounty of his Christian ministry bringing the Word to the world. The shield below him depicts the cross of St. Andrew. - Hiram Kano (1889-1988)
Japanese-American Episcopal priest interned during World War II who faithfully ministered to his fellow internees, prisoners of war and incarcerated U.S. soldiers. Shown wearing his priestly vestments and carrying a rake, representing his farm background. His shield depicts a lock and chain, symbolic of his enduring faith amidst adversity. - Florence Nightingale (1820-1910)
Founder of modern nursing whose innovative methods saved countless lives. Pioneer in statistics and sanitation. Shown wrapping bandages, with candlelight representing the light and hope she brought to those she served and books representing her teachings. Her shield depicts a wooden crutch, symbolizing her faithful service to the sick and wounded.
The Bottom Row Depictions of children in worship and godly play.
- Girl praying
- Boy studying
- Boy trumpeting
- Girl watering flowers
- Fish: An ancient Christian symbol of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior. The Greek letters represent C Christ, Q God, U
Other Elements
- Goldfinches are often found around thistle. Thistle symbolizes the crown of thorns and is Scotland’s national flower. St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland.
- Pink, shown at the top of the window with Christ and the angels, is considered a holy color.
- Green, shown at the bottom of the window among the children, represents growth.
- The daisies along the bottom symbolize the innocence of children.
- The names of the saintly figures will be inscribed in the purple arches above them.
Lyn Hovey, founder of Lyn Hovey Studio, Inc., has been working in stained glass for over 60 years. He started his career in Cleveland as an apprentice in the Phillips Stained Glass Studio and was hired as a junior glass painter in the Boston studio of Wilbur Herbert Burnham in 1965. Most of the stained-glass windows at St. Andrew’s, includ-ing the Porter window, are works from the Burnham studio. Lyn established his own studio in 1972 and is the current president and artistic director. The Boston studio is known worldwide for its design excellence in stained-glass and is home to their fabrica-tion and restoration facilities.
