St. John the Evangelist Church
Rev. Lance Gonyo, Pastor
55 Martha Street, Spencerport, NY 14559
(p) 585•352•5481     Email Us: sstjohnc@dor.org



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The Stained Glass Windows of St. John the Evangelist Church

The Crucifixion

The Holy Family Side (East side beginning from the front)

Angel Gabriel Gabriel was the angel who was sent to ask Mary to be the mother of God. He greeted Mary with the words, "Hail, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee". These words appear in the circles next to Gabriel.
Saint Joseph Joseph was the foster father of Jesus and husband of Mary. Joseph was a poor carpenter from Nazareth, hence the set of carpenter tools in one of the symbol circles. The lily is the flower usually associated with St. Joseph. He is holding a lily on his staff, and there is a lily in one of the symbol circles. Notice also the lilies on the wall of St. Joseph's shrine in the sanctuary.
Saint Paul St. Paul was one of the greatest missionaries in the early church. He also wrote many letters that became part of the New Testament, hence the book in Paul's hand.  Legend has it that Paul was beheaded one day, and that his head bounced three times on the hard ground. On each spot where Paul's head bounced, a fountain appeared. These fountains and the swords used for beheading appear in the circles.
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary St. Elizabeth was a member of a group called the Third Order of St. Francis. She dedicated her whole life to helping the poor, bringing food and clothing.  Our window tells the story of one incident in Elizabeth's life. One day, she went to visit the poor. Her cloak was full of provisions. Her husband met her and became very angry. "Are you carrying food like a servant", he cried. He pulled open her cloak. Out fell not food but lovely red and white roses.
Saint Augustine St. Augustine was a sinner turned saint. Through the prayers of his mother, St. Monica, Augustine turned from following a path of evil to doing good things for God and the church. He became a bishop in England at age 36.  Our window shows Augustine in the role of a bishop with the miter (special hat) and crozier (staff). The symbol of the heart on fire can be traced to the prophet Isaiah, chapter 20, verse 9, a passage which symbolizes Augustine's life.
Saint Joan of Arc Joan of Arc was a good soldier. She was born and lived in France. At the time, France was fighting England, and the English were winning everywhere. Even though she was afraid, Joan fought with the French army, and led her country to victory.  St. Joan of Arc is the patron saint of France, and the French flag appears in our window.
Saint John the Evangelist St. John was one of the 12 apostles. His father was Zebedee and brother was St. James. He is referred to in the gospel as the "beloved disciple", or "the disciple Jesus loved". St. John sat next to Jesus at the Last Supper. He also stood beside Mary beneath Jesus' cross on Calvary.  St. John wrote one of the four gospels, as well as several letters, which are part of the New Testament. Notice that St. John is holding a book on our window. The symbol of St. John is the eagle, hence the bird in one of the symbol circles.

The Eucharistic Chapel Side (West side beginning from the front)

Mary This window depicts Mary, the mother of Jesus. The last words of Mary recorded in the gospels were recorded in Cana. Mary told the waiters at the wedding feast to "do what ever He (Jesus) tells you". She says the same words to us today.  One symbol circle on our window depicts a heart pierced by a sword. This reminds us of Simeon's prophecy that Mary's heart would be pierced by a "sword of sorrows". The roses in the other symbol circle represent the title "Mystical Rose" from Mary's litany.
Saint Peter Saint Peter was originally named Simon. He was a fisherman when Jesus called him to be an apostle. One day Simon made a great act of faith in Christ. Jesus changed his name to Peter which means Rock. He made Peter the first Pope, the head of the Church. Peter ruled the church bravely. In the end Peter died nailed to a cross, hanging upside down.  Our window shows several symbols of St. Peter. The upside down cross is in one of the symbol circles. Note also that Peter is holding a set of keys, reminding us that Jesus gave him the "keys of the kingdom".
Saint Catherine of Egypt The symbols in our window tell us many things about St. Catherine. She is wearing purple, the color associated with royalty. She is holding a palm branch, a symbol which suggests martyrdom. One of the symbol circles pictures a lamp, which symbolizes intelligence. So putting it all together, we learn that St. Catherine was a queen, a scholar, and a lady who was put to death for believing in Jesus.  St. Catherine was killed in a brutal manner. She was tied to a wheel, and when the wheel was rotated, the spokes dug into her body. This wheel with its sharp spokes appears in a symbol circle on our window.
Saint Patrick Patrick's name was a very noble one, taken from a Latin name that means a "nobleman". He was a bishop in the country of Ireland. Patrick taught the Irish people many things. He taught them about the Blessed Trinity by showing them how a shamrock had three leaves yet was still one plant.  There are several symbols of St. Patrick on our window. He is wearing green, the color associated with Ireland. He is holding a shamrock, and is wearing clothes associated with a bishop.
Saint Michael St. Michael is one of the Archangels. He is a warrior of God. Once upon a time, the bad angels made war in heaven. They cried, "We will not serve!". They tried to drive God from the Heavenly City. But St. Michael led the armies of the good angels. He drove out the evil army. He knelt before God and cried out that God was his only king.  Our window shows us that St. Michael is an angel. Symbols of a warrior appear as well. Michael is standing over some snakes. Since the snake is a symbol of the devil, the window pictures for us the victory of St. Michael over the devil.
St. Martin of Tours St. Martin was a soldier. Our window tells the story of one incident in Martin's life. One cold day, Martin pulled his coat around him. Then he saw a poor man who had no coat. St. Martin took his sword, cut his coat in two, and gave half to the poor man. That night, St. Martin had a dream. Jesus was in the dream, wearing Martin's coat.  The window reminds us of Jesus' words, "Whatever you do for the least of my people, you do for me".