Third Presbyterian Church

�

The design for the Reverend and Mrs. H. M. Hildebrandt Memorial Window is a combination of the traditional and the contemporary. This window was a gift from the congregation to honor the beloved ministry of the Hildebrandts who labored for Christ in our community for more than half a century.

Color has been used as a means of teaching as well as for the sake of design. Under this concept blue can be considered to be the symbol of the universality and truth of the Gospel teachings. Red is the color of youth, love, and fervor. Gold is the color of goodness and glory. Violet is the color of penance and sacrifice. Green is the color of hope and the Trinity Season.

Since the preaching tradition from our pulpit has been “about our Lord Jesus. . . the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit,” this window is a Christ centered window. Christ is shown as the Redeemer, whose sacrifice that Christians must make is presented by the “S” shaped path that winds up the hill behind the figure of Christ. The hill represents Calvary with two Tau Crosses flanking the central figure.

�

Christ the Redeemer is shown here as a figure in invitation. In the left lancet is an invitation to enter the church, shown by the gothic arched doorway. Through entry into the church we reach salvation, which is shown by the ark in the background.

�

There has been a great emphasis on the Sunday School at Third Presbyterian Church. The teaching emphasis is shown by the torch in front of the open book. The torch, the symbol of enlightenment and knowledge, symbolizes both the learning process and the teaching of the Gospel, which occurs in the Sunday School. The Gospel and the Bible are shown by the open book.

�

�

�

In the upper transom section of the window at the left, a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit flys over a Babtismal Font. This symbolizes Babtism at Third Presbyterian Church. At the extreme right top a sheaf of wheat and a bunch of grapes symbolize communion. The upright of the Cross extends above the heavy horizontal transom division, where the banner with the crucifixion inscription is shown. Above this is the hand of God bestowing blessings.

�

�

�

Another characteristic of Third Presbyterian Church has been a commitment to Bible Study. A missionary spirit has also been in evidence. Both of these attributes are symbolized by the globe with a Cross through it. Flame shapes flank the Cross at the lower right of the window. This symbol represents the Christian witness for Christ, both in the church and throughout the world. At the lower left of the window two open hands with a Cross between them represent Christian service seen in the role of the layperson in the organization of the church and calls each of us to greater service.

�

In addition to the actual depiction of the Trinity by the figure of Christ, the hand of God, and the dove, the Trinity is symbolized by the triangular kite shaped forms that are found in three places in the design.

This window was designed as a unique work of art for Third Presbyterian Church, never to be duplicated.

May the beauty and spiritual message of this window continue to inspire this congregation to serve the Lord with thanksgiving and joy.

�

 

�