First Presbyterian Church

Corpus Christi, Texas

Welcome To The

Stained Glass Windows

History Page

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We hope you enjoy the chronicle behind the

making of our beautiful stained glass windows.

Corpus Christi’s own, well renowned artist,

Sally Pomeroy, leads us down the history trail and

explains the meanings of the many different symbols

contained in our historic stained glass windows.

Our stained glass windows are a rare byproduct of the depression. The church

made arrangements with Payne Studios to keep their artisans together during

those hard times, in return for a very low price for the windows. The windows,

which are rich in Christian Symbols, were dedicated in 1932.

The beautiful circular Chancel Window is set in a Gothic architectural design. Stationed in the center is the open Holy Bible, representing the Word of God. Surrounding the Bible are four angels, representing the four Apostles, which complete the midpoint design. The angel to the left is St. Matthew, who is completed with a winged man on his breastplate. His Gospel begins with the human genealogy of Jesus, which is found in chapter 1, verse 1. Located at the top of the circular window is St. Mark, who has a winged lion on his breastplate. Mark’s Gospel speaks of Christ’s kingly character in chapter 1, verse 3. The St. Luke image to the right displays a winged calf, or ox, which emphasizes the sacrificial nature of Christ’s death and is described in Luke, chapter 23, verse 35. At the bottom of the Chancel Window is St. John, who is pictured with an eagle on his breastplate. John, who represents the Eagle, soars beyond other birds, consequently symbolizing Christ’s divine nature, which can be found in his gospel in chapter 14, verses 8 through 11.

Some of the symbols included on the side windows are the Crown, which represents the King of Kings, and the Harp and Scroll, which represents Christian’s worship of God through joyful music ministries. There is also the Alpha and the Omega, illustrating the beginning and the end. Other windows include the tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments, a Star, exemplifying the Guiding Star, and a Sword, symbolizing the Word of God. There is an Anchor, which embodies all Christians anchored in God’s work. Early Christians recognized this connection to God’s work as a Cross. The Lamp symbolizes Christian’s enlightenment and the “P” within the “X” (Chi-Rho) represents the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ, which is spelled XPRICTOC. Also in the windows are the Torch, epitomizing the zeal in Christian living, and Palm Leaves, representing Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. The purity of the 3 in 1 Trinity is reflected in the Lilies and the Dove portrays the spirit of God. The Wheat and Tares depicts good and evil and the Lotus is a reminder to all Christians that we must rise above adversity. The Holy Bible represents the word of God.