Saint Paul's Heirlooms

Stained Glass Windows Te Deum Window As the name suggests, the Te Deum window depicts the message of the traditional canticle "Te Deum Laudamus" - "We Praise Thee, O God". It portrays the entire created order as joined in the worship of the Father Everlasting. Occupying the apex of the central lanclet, and thus dominating the entire window, is the figure of Christ enthroned and crowned as both King of Glory and the everlasting Son of the Father. The beams of light emanating from him affirm that his mission was to open the kingdom of heaven to all believers. At the base of the central lancet is the figure of Mary, the mother of our Lord, to whom the Te Deum pays tribute by affirming: "When Thou tookest upon Thee to deliver man, Thou didst humble Thyself to be born of a Virgin". Robson Window This beautiful window, one of the original windows installed in the church when it was erected in 1914, is a memorial to the Reverend George A. Robson, who was rector of St. Paul's for only a brief six months. He was taken by death on Easter evening at the age of thirty-two. Fittingly, this memorial portrays the message of the Easter and its promise of eternal life. The dominant figure is of Christ, with arms outstretched, welcoming all true believers into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Christ figure recreates a vision experienced by Reverend Robson when on his death bed. Also in commemoration of the day, the window expresses in al symbols the resurrection promise inherent in the Christian belief. Central above the Christ, is a rayed cross, sometimes known as the Easter cross, with the rays of the sun emanating from it. On either side are the Alpha and Omega, first and last letters of the greek alphabet, symbolizing the eternalness of Christ. Carter Window The central part of this window portrays St. John the Evangelist, beloved disciple of our Lord and author of the Gospel according to St. John and the Book of Revelation. Above is the eagle, symbol of the Apostle, signifying the spread of the Gospel. Below is a scroll of the Gospels. In his hand is the traditional chalice from which issues a serpent, a symbol recalling an incident in which his life was spared when a cup of poisoned wine was given him. The serpent and sword recall the power of the Sword of the Spirit over sin. The panel to the left contains St. James the Less, Apostle and Marty. The saw above is a symbol connected with his martyrdom. Below is a windmill, an unusual symbol, connected with St. James, which is the "Mill of the Gospel". The Pulpit Magnificent in beauty and simplicity of design, the polished brass pulpit, together with the brass railing leading to it, is one of the oldest memorials in the church. Its tubular standards support a three-paneled front of scroll design and backed by a velvet screen of rich maroon. Its center panel has an open Maltese cross as its dominant symbol while the two flanking panels have the Fleur-de-Lis representing the Trinity. The pulpit is a memorial to the Bishop in the Diocese of Michigan. Bishop Harris was held in very high esteem by the entire church and was deeply mourned when he died suddenly while on a trip to England. The pulpit, expressing the regard in which the Bishop was held at St. Paul's, was purchased with funds raised by the Sunday school class of Mrs. Hudson. The Boyer Memorial Erected just above the alter is one of the most beautiful works of art within the church, a wood carving of the crucifixion scene, depicting Christ on the cross, with the Mother Mary and the favorite disciple John standing at the base. This panel is in the tradition of the German wood carvers and was created by Alois Lang of Oberamergau in Bavaria. Alois is a cousin of Anton Lang who will be remembered as the famous Christus in the Oberamergau Passion Plays of 1900, 1910 and 1912. The carving was commissioned during a brief stay in Grand Rapids by the artist. It is a memorial to the Reverend Virgil Boyer, Rector from 1916 until his death in 1926. A fund was established at the time of Mr. Boyers passing, but ten years elapsed before a suitable memorial could be decided upon. The carved panel, approved by the family was dedicated on October 4, 1936. The Stroud Memorial Organ St. Paul's majestic pipe organ, which adds so much to the music of worship, is the gift of Mrs. Harriet Stroud, who, by her will, bequeathed $48,000 to provide a suitable instrument for this purpose. For years Mrs. Stroud had planned a suitable gift to her church. The magnificent instrument is a worthy culmination of those plans. Charles Stroud was a prominent contractor in Lansing and assisted in the building of the present church edifice in 1914. Mrs. Stroud served in the choirs of St. Paul's and participated in many of the women's activities as well. Both were long and faithful communicants. The Lectern The lectern, or reading desk, is placed at the Gospel side of the chruch, this being the position from which the Scripture lessons are read to the congregation during the service. It has been a part of the church furnishings since the erection of the present building. The lectern is designed of ornamental art brass to match the pulpit. Its base consists of three standards, each of which rest on a lion's paw, representing the winged lion of St. Mark, one of the Evangelists, whose symbol is often used in this connotation. The standards are topped by a burning flame, reminding of the inspiration derived from the reading of the Scriptures. The central spiraling pedestal is topped by an orb on which stands an eagle, symbol of St. John, the Author of the Epistle of St. John and the Revelation. The eagle when used on the Lectern represents the flight of the Gospel to the throne of Heaven. The Baptismal Font The Baptismal Font appropriately occupies the center position in the Bapistry, which is reached through the northeast door of the nave of the church and which also joins the Chapel of the Incarnation. It was moved here from its former position at the northwest corner of the nave. The font has been used for the sacrament of Holy Baptism since and has been the source of induction into Christ's Holy Church for hundreds of members of St. Paul's throughout the years. The Font is of Italian marble and rests on a graded square base, four-sided pedestal which becomes octagonal. Appropriately a Maltese cross is carved on each side of the pedestal. The font proper is also octagonal, the traditional number of sides for this Holy receptacle, which represents regeneration. On its top face are the words of Our Lord, "Suffer the little children to come unto me for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven".