Music Window
Window Artist: Russell Goodman and family
The pictures of six side windows (photographer: Al Brown) are available for purchase as a set of beautiful greeting cards.
Music Window
The Music Window features three historical personalities who are closely associated with Lutheranism. The central figure is Martin Luther (1483-1546), celebrated as founder of the Reformation. Depicted in his monastic habit, Luther gazes intensely toward heaven, holding an open book, which is the focal point for rays of golden light. Luther is framed by smaller vignettes, representing decisive moments in reformation history: Wittenberg, where Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church; Worms, where he refused to recant; and Wartburg castle, where he translated the Bible into German. The inscription at Luther's feet, "The just shall live by faith", is a paraphrase of the words of St. Paul (Romans 1:17).
In the left panel, the figure of George Frideric Händel (1685-1759) is directing his famous oratorio "Messiah" (1741), framed by three symbolic vignettes: choir figures, an angel with a harp, and organ pipes. On the right, the composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is working on a manuscript inscribed "Soli Deo Gloria" [To God Alone the Glory]. Bach's vignettes are an organ, choir figures, a cross with the four Evangelists, and the St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, where Bach is buried.
The inscription along the top of the window refers to Luther's celebrated hymn, "A Mighty Fortress is our God", based on Psalm 46.
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History Window
The History Window depicts excerpts from Canadian Lutheran history since 1619. Symbols of the Canadian landscape spanning the continent appear across the top: an ocean sunrise, the Rocky Mountains, prairie grain elevators, rocks and trees, a lighthouse, and an iceberg. An inscription unifies the panels across the bottom: "His dominion is from sea to sea."
From left to right, the central figures in three panels are Adam Keffer (1808-1876), the Rev. Herman Hayunga (1799-1872), and the Rev. Charles Cossman (1806-1897). Keffer was a dedicated lay person, remembered for walking to Pennsylvania to obtain Lutheran pastors for ministry in Canada. According to tradition, he walked barefoot, to save his shoes for the important meeting when he presented his petition. Hayunga, who is remembered for his inspired preaching, was active in Upper Canada. He is depicted at his pulpit. Cossman, who founded many congregations in the Maritimes, is depicted with a spade, used during ground breaking services.
The background of the window is a collage of references to Lutheran sites and events in Canada, interspersed with symbols of Lutheran heritage. Church buildings represent important Lutheran sites, such as birthplace of the Canadian Synod, first Lutheran Church in Canada, and the original location of Waterloo Seminary. Symbols such as the Lunenburg bell, a Danish ship and Luther's rose follow a thematic approach to Lutheran history.
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Children's Window
The Children's Window depicts Christ in the central panel, standing beneath a representation of the Lamb of God as Victor over death. Christ is accompanied by an allegorical figure of motherhood (left), St. Nicholas as a Bishop of the Church (right), and seven figures representing the children of the world. Vignettes include the star of the Nativity over Bethlehem, the waters of Baptism spilling from a shell, and a variety of symbolic flowers. The inscription, "Let the children come unto me," is from Matthew 19:14.
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Baptism Window
The Baptism Window illustrates three events in the early life of Jesus, culminating with his Baptism. The left panel, inscribed "They fell down and worshipped Him," shows three magi bringing gifts to the infant JEsus (Matthew 2:1-12). The central panel, inscribed "All who heard him were amazed" (Luke 2:47), refers to the gospel account of the adolescent Jesus in the temple. The right panel, inscribed "This is my beloved son" (Mattehw 3:17, Luke 3:22), shows John baptizing Jesus in the river Jordan, as the Holy Spirit descends in the form of a dove.
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Resurrection Window
The Resurrection Window depicts three key events in the resurrection narrative. In the left panel, three women are confronted by an angel at the empty tomb. In the background, the rising sun lights the morning sky. The inscription proclaims, "HE is risen." The central panel refers to Christ's post-ressurection appearance on the road to Emmaus. The inscription, "Stay with us" (Luke24:29), captures the moment, toward evening, when the two travellers have not yet recognized Jesus as the risen Christ. In the third panel, Thomas, who doubted the resurrection, reaches toward Jesus, accepting the invitation to touch His wounds (John 20:25-28). The inscription records Thomas's response, "My Lord and my God."
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Passion Window
The Passion Window captures three scenes from the Gospel account of events leading to Christ's death. The narrative progresses chronologically, from left to right: the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, inscribed, "Hosanna" (left); Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemene, inscribed "Not my will but thine be done" (centre); removing the body of Jesus from the cross, inscribed "Father, I commend my spirit" (right). Background vignettes framing the central Christ depict the sleeping desciples and armed Roman soldiers. The window is rich in symbolic motifs, including palm branches, chalice, cross, thorns, nails, the darkened moon, and various plants, such as holly and ivy.
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Discipleship Window
The Discipleship Window depicts three specific events, from the New Testament, which are references to the call to follow Christ. In the left panel, Jesus extends the invitation, "Peter and Andrew follow me" (Matthew 4:18-20). The group are shown at the edge of the Sea of Galilee, their nets at hand, and their boat in the background. Symbolic motifs include crossed keys, a reference to Peter, and an anchor, the traditional symbol of hope. The central panel is inscribed "Matthew followed." It depicts the seated figure of Matthew, working as a tax collector before he rose to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9). The third panel, inscribed "Paul you are chosen," captures the dramatic moment of conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-9). In the flash of bright light, Paul has fallen to the ground, blinded by his vision of Christ.
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Teaching Window
The Teaching Window is dominated by the central figure of Christ, seated in the landscape, holding an open book. The inscription refers to the great commandment, "Love one another" (John 15:17). In the left panel, four figures listen attentively, including a woman, a child, and a man who is lame. The insciption, "Blessed are those," is a reference to the Beatitudes (Matthew 5). In the right panel, three attentive figures include a child holding a basket of loaves and fishes, a reference to the miraculous feeding of the multitude (Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 15:32-37). The inscription, "Our Father in heaven," refers to the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). The window is rich in symbolic motifs, including an image of St. Peter's, Ottawa, as the church built on a rock (Matthew 16:18).
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Chancel Window
The Chancel Window, which focuses on a central figure of the risen Christ, illustrates the message of discipleship. Christ faces the congregation with outstretched arms, implying his invitation, "Come unto me" (Matthew 11:28) and his admonition, "Go into all the World" (Matthew 28:19). Standing on a globe which is inscribed with a cross, Christ extends his message to the entire world. He is attended by figures of the apostles, the four winged evangelists (Matthew the angel, Mark the lion, Luke the ox, John the eagle), the victorious lamb, and the Pentecostal dove. Prominent Ottawa landmarks are displayed at the feet of Christ: the National Library and Archives (left), the Parliament buildings and the Peace Tower (centre), and the Supreme Court of Canada (right). The background incorporates a college of Christian symbols, as well as the Canadian provincial flowers: British Columbia (Pacific dogwood), Alberta (Prickly rose), Saskatchewan (Western red lily), Manitoba (Prairie crocus), Ontario (White trillium), Québec (Madonna lily), New Brunswick (Purple violet), Nova Scotia (Mayflower), Prince Edward Island (Lady's slipper), Newfoundland (Pitcher plant), Northwest Territories (Mountain avens), Yukon Territory (Fireweed).
Order the greeting cards, featuring six side windows!