Stained Glass at Old First Presbyterian Church
The Rose Window
The rose window on the Van Ness facade of the building was installed in 1954. It was created by the Willet Stained Glass Company of Philadelphia and paid for by a bequest from the estate of Mrs. Samuel Knight in memory of her mother, Susan Hurd Holbrook. Called "The Sun of Righteousness", the window's design features a sunburst at the center that envelops the great Greek Cross and spreads through all twelve segments, suggesting tht the Sun of Righteousness pervades every aspect of human life. In addition to such traditional symbols as the lyre and the scales, there are modern emblems like the symbol of the atom and the flags of the United Nations which are not often seen in stained glass windows.
Begining in the lower left and proceeding clockwise, the symbols are:
- The Spinning Wheel, for the home.
- The Lamp of Learning, for education.
- The Cross, symbolizing the church.
- The Torch of Truth, with a number of books, including the Bible.
- The Lyre, representing music.
- The Printing Press, recalling the Reformation and the Gutenberg Press of 1448.
- The Balance, or Scales, to symbolize justice and the law.
- The Caduceus, for medicine.
- The Atom, for science.
- A Heart in a Hand recalls John Calvin's statement, "My heart I give Thee, eagerly and sincerely." The chalice in the background depicts Old First's 19th entury communion cup, which is still in use.
- The Flags of the United Nations, founded in San Francisco in 1945.
- The Ship of the World Council of Churches.
The Aisle Windows
The aisle windows on the north (Sacramento Street) side of the sanctuary were desined by Dr. Creighton and Miss English and produced by the Commings Stained Glass Company of San Francisco. They were installed in 1949 to commemorate Old First's Centennial.
Beginning at the front of the sanctuary they are as follows.
- The Clipper Ship represents the travel of the church's first members to San Francisco in 1849. There is some artistic liberty in this portrayal, since the actual vessel was a steamship, the Oregon
- The Tent of Meeting. The church's first home was in a surplus mining compnay tent erected in 1848. The tent in the window is taken from a drawing published in 1855.
- First Orphanage. Old First founded San Francisco's first orphanage in 1851; the institution still exists as the Edgewood Children's Home.
- Y.M.C.A.- The Rev. Albert Williams organized San Francisco's Y.M.C.A. in 1853.
- The Alpha Society of Presbyterian pastors, founded by Dr. MacKenzie of Old First in 1898, is still an active organization.
View a Slide Show of the Stained Glass Windows
Mark Rogers (Mark Rogers Photography) graciously shares his extensive photographs of the Old First Prespyterian stained glass windows HERE.
Credits:
All descriptions and historical information from A Pioneer Communiy of Faith—Old First Presbyterian Church of San Francisco 1849-1999, by Stephen L. Taber.
Find out more about Old First's history by ordering this award-winning book. Now available via the church office.