Stained Glass Windows at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church

Jesus prayed in the Garden

Light telling the story of faith.

Light, Faith, and the Story of Christ

The stained glass windows at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church are more than beautiful artwork.

They are windows of faith—using light, color, and imagery to tell the story of Jesus Christ, reflect biblical truth, and inspire worship.

For generations, these windows have helped remind worshipers of God’s presence, grace, and hope.

Why Stained Glass Matters

Throughout church history, stained glass windows have helped teach the faith and lift hearts toward God.

They remind us that:

  • Light shines in darkness
  • Scripture speaks through symbols and story
  • Beauty can point us to God
  • Faith is passed from generation to generation

When sunlight shines through the glass, ordinary light becomes radiant color—a picture of God’s grace working through everyday lives.

Themes Found in Our Windows

(Adjust this list to match your actual windows)

Our windows reflect important moments and truths such as:

  • The Life of Christ
  • The Cross and Resurrection
  • The Good Shepherd
  • Prayer and Worship
  • Discipleship
  • Hope and Eternal Life
  • Apostles and Christian symbols

Each window invites us to look deeper.

A Living Part of Worship

These windows are not only part of our history—they remain part of worship today.

As light fills the sanctuary, the windows continue to point hearts toward Christ and remind us of the great story of faith.

Come See Them in Person

We invite you to worship with us and experience the beauty and meaning of these windows firsthand.

Sunday School – 9:30 AM

Worship – 10:30 AM

Come and See what God is doing at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church.

The Twelve

Sanctuary Windows

 

Discover the light shining through history and faith.
Step into our Sanctuary and experience the beauty of the twelve windows that tell God’s story through color, light, and art.

Each window in our Sanctuary is more than decoration—it’s a connection to faith, tradition, and the stories that have guided generations.

  • The twelve windows represent the twelve disciples.

  • Eleven windows depict scenes from the life of Christ, while Window #1 shows Moses coming down Mt. Sinai with the Ten Commandments, connecting us to the Old Testament.

  • Each window features a unique shield, cross, and carefully chosen colors, thoughtfully designed by our Sanctuary Planning Committee in 1963 and preserved with care for future generations.

These windows are part of our family story—they reflect the faith and dedication of those who came before us and invite you to connect with God’s Word in a visual way.

As sunlight streams through each panel, it symbolizes Christ’s light shining into our lives.

Each detail—the shields, crosses, and scenes—offers a reminder that God’s presence surrounds us and guides us. The Planning Committee hoped these windows would inspire worship, reflection, and hope for all who enter, and we continue that tradition today.

Explore the windows below:

  • Click each image to see the full window and individual panels.

  • Learn the story behind each disciple, scene, and symbol.

  • Take a moment to reflect on what God’s light means in your life today.

👉 Plan your visit to the Sanctuary and experience the windows in person—let the beauty of God’s Word illuminate your heart.

 
 

 Window 1

 

 

Window 2

 
 
Click each section below for closer viewing and description:
 
 

Window 3

 
 
 
 
 
Click each section below for closer viewing and description:
 

Window 4

 
 
 
 
 
Click each section below for closer viewing and description:
 
Window # 5
Disciple: St. John ( Apostle, Evangelist) This emblem of St. John, the Beloved Apostle, refers to the legend of a poisoned chalice being offered to him, in an attempt made on his life. The poison vanished in the form of a serpent.
Biblical Scene: Revelation 3:20 I am standing at the door, knocking: if you hear My voice an open the door, I will come in to you…
Cross: Th Iona or Celtic Cross: Dates back to early centuries of the Christian era. It was said to have been taken  from what is now Ireland to the island of Iona by Columba in the 6th century.
Window # 6
Disciple: St. Thomas ( Apostle, Martyr) The patron of builders ( thus the carpenter’s square). He is said to have built a church with his own hands in East India. The spear refers to his supposed martyrdom at the hand of King Midsai for converting his queen to Christianity. 
Biblical Scene: Mark 10: 13-15 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ” Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.
Cross: The Bottony Cross Sometimes called the Budded cross because of the moderate form of its trefoil ends. Hence it suggests the young or immature Christian.
Window # 7
Disciple: St. Jude ( Apostle, Martyr) The sailing vessel here ( with a mast in the shape of a cross) represents the Church, which St. Jude ( also known as Thaddeus or Lebbaeus) carried to many ports as he journeyed as a missionary. 
Biblical Scene: John 10: 11, 14) I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.
Cross-  The Anchor Cross:  Which was used by the early Christians in the catacombs. Ancient Egyptian in its origin. 
Window # 8
Disciple: St. James the Greater: ( Apostle, Martyr) The patron saint of Spain and of pilgrims. He is mentioned as the 1st of the disciples to go on a missionary journey. The escallop shells refer to pilgrimage.
Biblical Scene: Matthew 26: 26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said, ” Take, eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, ” Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Cross- The Calvary Cross: Sometimes called the Graded Cross. The 3 steps, from the top down, stand for Faith, Hope and Love. 
Window # 9
Disciple: St. Philip: ( Apostle, Martyr) It was to St. Philip that Christ addressed his remark concerning the feeding of the multitude ( thus 2 loaves of bread). John 6 & 7 The budding cross refers to Philip’s successful missionary journeys among the barbarians where he spread the knowledge of Christianity.
Biblical Scene: Mark 14: 32, 35 They went to a place called Gethsemane and he said to his disciples, ” Sit here while I pray… ” And going a little further, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Cross: The Pattee Fitched Cross:  Resembles the Maltese Cross with the 4 arms pointed. A beautiful form of the cross used widely for decorative purposes. 
Window # 10
Disciple: St. Matthew ( Apostle, Evangelist, Martyr) The moneybags refer to the occupation of St. Matthew before he was called to follow Christ. He was a tax gatherer known as Levi.
Biblical Scene: John 19: 17-18 So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is  called Golgotha. There they crucified him…
Cross- The Cross and Thorny Crown: The Latin cross, the most commonly used cross, with the crown of thorns. 
Window # 11
Disciple: St. Andrew ( Apostle, Martyr) The patron of Russian, Scotland, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Andrew is symbolized by a cross shaped like an X. Because he was a fisherman, there are 2 fish crossed to form the X in the design.
Biblical Scene: John 20: 1, 11, 15-17 Early on the 1st day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magadalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb… Mary stood weeping outside the tomb… Jesus said to her, ” Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ” …tell me where you have laid him  and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, ‘ Mary!” She turned and said to him, ” Rabbouni!” ( which means Teacher)> Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and to your God!”
Cross- The St. Andrew’s Cross or Saltire Cross: According to tradition St. Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross, known as a saltire or St. Andrew’s cross in Achaia. He requested that he be crucified on a cross unlike that of his Lord. 
Window # 12
Disciple: St. Peter ( Apostle, Martyr) Because he felt unworthy to die as had Christ, St. Peter requested that his cross be inverted so that he might look heavenward as he was crucified. Peter is symbolized by 2 keys which depict Jesus saying, I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.
Biblical Scene: Rev 1: 4-6 Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…. and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Cross- The Crown and the Cross: These symbolize the reward of the faithful in the life after death to those who believe in the crucified Savior. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee the crown of life. ( Rev. 2:10)
Back of church/Narthex / Up in Balcony
Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane 
 
Narthex/ Greek name for Jesus