Tour Our Stained Glass Windows
The stained glass windows at Knox Presbyterian Church tell stories about our faith and our beliefs. They also teach us about the vibrant history of one of Oakville’s oldest congregations.
The Last Supper
The Good Shepherd
The Light of the World
St. Cecilia Window
John Knox
Source: The Stained Glass Windows in Knox Presbyterian Church Oakville, Ontario; Kennedy, Jean & Panton, Norma, Stan Brown Printers, Ltd., 1982
The Last Supper
This stunning adaptation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” is a focal point during worship services. For nearly a century, the window has graced the church chancel.
The window is dedicated to the memory of the men in the congregation who lost their lives during World War I. One of these brave young men, Gordon Munro, was the son of Knox’s minister, Dr. James E. Munro. Commissioned by Cecil G. Marlatt, the window was installed in 1920.
“This Window Is Placed Here In Honour Of The Men From This Congregation Who Gave Their Lives In The Great War In Defence Of Justice, Liberty And Righteousness.”
—Inscription on the Last Supper Window—
The Good Shepherd
This striking stained glass window features symbols of Christ’s ministry, of our Christian faith, and the Presbyterian Church.
This window depicts the familiar image of Christ as a good shepherd. Words from the Gospel of John appear below Christ: “I am the Good Shepherd And Know My Sheep And Am Known of Mine.” (John 10:14)
At the top of a window, a dove flying towards Heaven represents the Holy Spirit. The burning bush within the rose window is the symbol for the Presbyterian Church.
Greek letters, alpha and omega, reference Revelations 1:8, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord.”
Other symbols in this window include:
- The letters I (The first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek)
- An anchor (Symbolizing hope)
- Crowns (Representing the kingship of Christ)
- Sheaf of Wheat (The bread of the Sacrament of Holy Communion)
- Chalice (The wine of the Sacrament of Holy Communion)
- Baptismal Font (Representing the Sacrament of Holy Baptism)
If you look closely at the image of Christ, you can see a black spot on His forehead. This symbolizes Christ’s willingness to sacrifice Himself for His sheep.
This window was dedicated in 1947 to the memory of John Barclay (1820-1900) and his wife Jane (1824-1989). John Barclay and his father Matthew Barclay were instrumental in the founding of Knox Presbyterian Church Oakville.
The Light of the World
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelations 2:20
Holman Hunt’s famous painting of these verses from Revelation is faithfully adapted in one of the most eerily beautiful windows at Knox Oakville.
The allegorical picture of Christ as the Light of the World features two sources of illumination. The main source of light is Christ’s lantern—“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105. It shines on the door to the human heart, which has no handle and can only be opened from within. His gentle face shines with the hope of salvation.
The window also features several animals. Two of these, a dove and a lamb, are common elements of stained glass windows. The third—a bat—represents a bird of ruin and neglect.
This haunting stained glass window was dedicated to the memory of William Robert Adamson (1877-1929) and his wife Ethel May Adamson (1885-1967). It was installed in 1966.
St. Cecilia Window
“Praise Him with the timbrell, praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.”
Psalm 150
St. Cecilia graces one of the most stunningly beautiful stained glass windows at Knox. This memorial window is believed to date back to the late 1890’s or early 1900’s. This window celebrates the worship of song and music. It features many instruments, including a trumpet, bell, lyre, bow, lute and an organ. The subject of the window is St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians.
This window offers an insight into the history of Knox at the turn of the last century. At the time, a heated debate was taking place about the installation of a pipe organ and the formation of a church choir. It is likely that the “pro-organ” side of the debate commissioned the St. Cecilia window. Church records reveal that a pipe organ was installed in 1894.
Stafford D. Marlatt commissioned this superb window in memory of his wife Mandana Elizabeth (aged 60) and his daughter Ina Clare (aged 19).
John Knox
What Presbyterian church would be complete without a nod to John Knox?
An elegant window in the church narthex depicts the man who helped establish the Presbyterian Church. In this stained glass window, Knox is depicted carrying a large book. This may be a Bible or one of the many books he penned during a prolific career as a Christian church leader and author. Above Knox is the burning bush with a Latin phrase, “Nec Tamen Consumebatur” (burning but not consumed).
Born in the early 1500’s, Knox became a royal chaplin to King Edward VI. Upon his return to Scotland, following the reign of Queen Mary, he became a very vocal opponent to Mary Queen of Scots.
