Parables of Trinity Episcopal Church Stained Glass Windows

The above image is Christ on the Cross

 The Parable of The Wheat and Tares

given to the Glory of God and in loving memory or Richard Condell and Theodore Wilson Hudson.

The Southwest Windows of the church (just to your right as you enter the nave), tells the story of the Parable of the Wheat and Tares which is found in Matthew 13:24-30…

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also.  And the servants of the householder came and said to him, `Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?’  He said to them, `An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, `Then do you want us to go and gather them?’  But he said, `No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them.  Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'”

Parable of The Mustard Seed

given in loving memory of Frank and Metta Doane and in the service of her church by Mrs. Wilber Stone

The second set of windows on the south side of the nave (as you enter from the narthex), the pictures recall the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32.)

He put before them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.’

The Parable of The Workers in the Vineyard

given in loving memory of Sadie Taliaferro and Robert Y. Taliaferro.

The third set of windows on the south side of the nave (as you enter from the narthex) represent the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Mt. 20:1-16.)

He put before them another parable:  For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work in his vineyard. He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. ………The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came and each received a denarius. So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. These men who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day. ‘But he answered one of them, “Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?”

The Parable of the Sower

given in loving memory of Harry R. Martin and Edward E. Chase.

The windows on the north side of the nave (all four together) represent the parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:3-9).

“A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.  Other seeds fell on rock ground, where there was not much soil.  Immediately they sprung up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away.  Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  Other seeds fell on good soil, and brought forth grain; some a hundred fold, some sixty, and some thirty.  He who has ears, let him hear.

—It is most interesting that the “story line” in these windows goes from left to right as opposed to right to left as the windows flow on the south side of the nave.  As such, these windows would almost seem to be in the Hebrew tradition.—

Parable of The Good Samaritan

given in loving memory of Sadie Harriet Countryman

The 4th set of windows on the south side of the nave (as you enter from the narthex) represent the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance, a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”