Archangel Michael

The other replacement for an original Gibson window is the enormous circular window in the west wall, over the door into the sanctuary. Its subject is the Archangel Michael slaying the dragon, who represents Evil or Satan. In front of a starry sky, Michael in full armor stands triumphant with a foot on the neck of the beast. He wields a long spear whose tip is covered in the dragon’s blood. Around him is arrayed a ring of 16 seraphs’ heads with red wings. The positive message here, as you leave the church to re-enter the “real world,” is that Good triumphs over Evil. The reason for replacing the original Gibson “rose” window at Grace is not known. This window was made in 1924 by Clayton and Bell of London, a stained-glass workshop famous for the quality of its glass, its excellent designs and prolific output (most of which stayed in England). The company, which began in 1865, remained in business until 1995. Interest in seeing its windows in the US has grown substantially since then—they are found in more than a dozen churches, including several in Massachusetts.

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