Open the doors and see all the people. The door handles are waiting for your hands to enter in. Your involvement in the ministry and mission will go on not only within these walls, but outside.

 

First Lutheran Church is home to a profound interpretation of the “Gospel in Glass,” 22 stained glass windows that speak of the glory of God.

First Lutheran’s Church first pastor, Pastor H. J. Glenn, took much responsibility in planning First Lutheran Church’s stained glass windows. He wanted the windows to speak, thus revealing the heart of God, to all who worship at First Lutheran.

N. Edward Mohn, the architect who designed First Lutheran Church, gave a lot of insight on its stained glass windows. After considerable investigation, a German-born firm from Milwaukee, Wisc., known as Conrad Schmitt Studios was chosen to make the stained glass windows.

Of the 22 windows, two are very large and dominate. The first window to be completed was the Christ the King window. The unveiling took place on Christmas Day in 1945.

The installation of the stained glass windows was completed in 1949.

Nine windows in the Clerestory present nine of the Lord’s most faithful followers: Peter, Andrew, Jude, Simon, Thomas, Paul, James, Philip and Bartholomew. Five are on the north side and four on the south. Since their practical function is to let in light, they are not so deeply stained as the lower windows.

The other windows represent stories from the Old and New Testaments. A few of these windows are called: “The Law and the Prophets,” “The Savior is Born,” “Feeding the Five Thousand,” The Crucifixion Window,” “The Good Samaritan,” and “The Resurrection Window.”

Stained glass can be supremely beautiful. Though color is of prime importance, the beauty lies not particularly in the color of the glass itself, but in the colors resulting from the sunlight filtering through the stained glass. The light and colors help to tell the story of Christian faith and complete the architectural harmony of the sanctuary by the skillful blending of color, symbol and light.  

Over a period of several months in the spring and summer of 2007, the community joined together to build, paint and install the visual faith statement that tells the story of God's steadfast and enduring love for all creation.