Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church

History of Kountze's Stained-Glass Windows

The sanctuary and many of the rooms at Kountze are framed by brilliant stained glass windows. These windows help create an atmosphere of worship, joy, and reverence in our building.

The building has had additions and renovations over the years. With these changes came windows that vary in style and color. Some windows are realistic, others are symbolic. There are windows that illustrate biblical stories and windows that show people of biblical and Christian history.

Whether you explore the depictions within the stained windows in person or online, we invite you to discover the history and significance of each biblical reference.

Descriptions prepared by Pastor Robert Shirck

East Windows

Symbols of the Four Gospels and the Transfiguration

Matthew: At the top, we see the Christian symbol for Matthew, the Winged Man. Matthew gives the genealogy of Jesus, often speaks of him as the Son of Man, and includes discussion of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Mark: To the left is Mark’s symbol, the Winged Lion. Mark’s gospel begins with a voice crying in the wilderness (1:3).

Luke: To the right is the Winged Ox, Luke’s symbol. Oxen were sacrificed in great numbers to Jehovah (I Kings 8:63). The gospel of Luke speaks often of sacrifice.

John: While the other three gospels begin with Jesus as a human being who is later recognized as the “Son of God,” John begins his story of the life of Jesus with an echo of Genesis, “In the beginning.” In this gospel, Jesus comes down from heaven and lives with his people. John’s symbol is the Eagle.

Transfiguration: The center panel of this great window shows the transfiguration of Jesus. To the right is Moses, the lawgiver, and to the left is Elijah, the prophet. These biblical figures are included to illustrate the fulfillment of the Old Testament law and prophesy. Below Jesus is John, the beloved disciple, James who later was a martyr and Peter the rock-solid man. These are the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples

The writers of the gospels are also illustrated in the windows found in the library.

Luther and Melanchthon

Dr. Martin Luther (1483-1546) was a professor at Wittenberg University. Depicted with an open Bible, Luther translated the Old Testament from Hebrew and the New Testament from Greek into German, the language of the people of his country.

 

Philip Melanchthon (1497-1560), professor of Greek at Wittenberg University, assisted Luther in his composition of teaching documents about Luther’s theology and with the writing of the Augsburg Confession (1530), the main Lutheran statement of belief.

South Windows

Life of Jesus

Mary and Baby Jesus: Just after His birth as she wraps him in “swaddling cloths and laid him in the manger” Luke 2:1-7

Jesus, the boy: Luke 2:40-51 tells the story of Jesus at twelve teaching in the temple of Jerusalem.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd: Jesus is often portrayed as the Good Shepherd, illustrated here tenderly carrying the little lamb who may have wandered into danger. John 10:7-18, 25-29; Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7.

Jesus at Gethsemane: Jesus in prayer just before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Matthew 26:36-40 and Mark 14:32-36.

The events chosen for this window are used in other church windows. Jesus’ birth is illustrated in a window in the church office and in a window in the entryway to the office. Christ as the Good Shepherd is the theme of one of the library windows. Jesus praying at Gethsemane is seen in a narthex window and in a Passion window in Fellowship Hall.

The Gospel Writers Surround Jesus

The original Kountze library, located on the south side of the educational wing’s second floor, was originally the church’s office area. Located here are renditions of the four gospel writers with Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd and Lost Sheep images appear in John 10:7-18, 25-29, in Matthew 18: 12-14, and Luke 15: 4-7.

MATTHEW

MARK

JESUS

LUKE

JOHN

These gospel writers are symbolized above the transfiguration in the window on the east wall of the sanctuary. Jesus as the “Good Shepherd” can also be seen in one of the scenes in the Life of Jesus window in the balcony of the sanctuary.

Altar Window

Women at the Tomb

Above the altar is an artificially lighted window of Mary Magdalene and the other women at the tomb where Jesus had been buried.

Matthew 28:1-6
“Suddenly, there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothes were white as snow… The angel spoke to the women, “You must not be afraid, I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has been raised, just as he said. Come here and see the place where he was lying.

West Windows

Jesus and the Little Children

Jesus talking to the little children reminds us of the scripture, Luke 18:15-17.
“Some people brought their babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. The disciples saw them and scolded them for doing so, but Jesus called the children to him and said ‘Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.'”

Jesus is also seen with children in a more modern-style window in Fellowship Hall.

Rich Young Ruler

Actually, this work of art is a painting that adorns the wall to the left of the pulpit. The rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to receive eternal life. In Luke 18: 18-23, the discussion ends when Jesus says “Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven: then come and follow me.” In the picture, we see the young man’s eyes looking away from Jesus for he could not follow this advice.

Narthex Windows

Jesus, the Light of the World

Revelations 3:20

“Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him and he will eat with me.”

This window is based on a painting by Holman Hunt. The two originals are in Oxford, England, and in St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, England.

Hunt’s painting shows Jesus knocking at a door without a handle. If Jesus is to get into the house, someone inside must let Him in. This reminds us that he does not force His way on us, we must choose.

He wears a crown of thorns on His head, the breastplate of a priest, and carries a lantern. These signifying that Jesus is King and Priest.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

This window is patterned after an original picture painted by Johann Hoffman.

Jesus is in prayer just before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It was a Thursday evening. A light comes from heaven to comfort Him. It is a very lonely place, and His upturned face shows Him looking to God, His Father, for help.

Matthew 26:39 (and Mark 14:36)
“…My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want.”

In the Life of Jesus window in the balcony of the sanctuary, this theme is restated. The theme of this window is repeated in the Passion windows on the north side of Fellowship Hall.

Biblical Stories for Children

Exodus 2:1-10
Baby Moses in the floating basket

The king of Egypt had commanded that every Hebrew boy be thrown into the Nile.

In Exodus 2:1-10 we read — “…when she could not hide him any longer, she took a basket made of reeds and covered it with tar to make it watertight. She put the baby in it and then placed it in the tall grass at the edge of the river. The baby’s sister stood some distance away to see what would happen to him. The king’s daughter came down to the river to bathe… Suddenly she noticed the basket in the tall grass and sent a slave girl to get it. … “This is one of the Hebrew babies,” she said… “I pulled him out of the water, and so I name him Moses.”

Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the Highest”

“There were some shepherds in that part of the country. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone over them. “Don’t be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born – Christ the Lord. …Suddenly, a great army of heaven’s angels appeared with the angel, singing praises to God; “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased!”

Luke 2:7
“She gave birth and laid him in a manger.”

She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths, and laid him in a manger – there was no room for them to stay in the inn.

Matthew 2:9
“And the star went before them.”

“…some men who studied the stars came from the East to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him.” …(The star) went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, and when they saw the child with his mother, Mary, they knelt down and worshiped him. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to him.”

1 Samuel 3:9
“Speak Lord thy servant hears.”

“…The Lord called Samuel a third time; he got up, went to Eli, and said, “You called me, and here I am. Then Eli realized that it was the Lord who was calling the boy, so he said to him, “Go back to bed; and if he calls you again, say “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” So Samuel went back to bed. The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak; your servant is listening.”

These five windows are located in the church office. When this part of the church was built, this room was the nursery. The themes for these windows are familiar Bible stories that have been traditionally told to our young children.

Glory to God in the Highest

Located in the hallway to the church office, this Christmas window illustrates the story recorded in Luke 2:1-20. We see Baby Jesus in the manger with Mary, His mother, and the shepherds. In the upper left corner is the angel announcing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men of good will.”

This window repeats the theme seen above in one of the windows in the church office. Also, one of the scenes in the Life of Jesus window in the balcony of the sanctuary shows Mary with Baby Jesus.

This window was given in memory of Capitola K. Butt.

Windows in and to Fellowship Hall

Scenes from the Life of Jesus

Mine Eyes Have Seen Thy Salvation

Luke 2:21-39
When Jesus was eight days old, his parents took him to the temple for circumcision and to name him. They were met by Simeon, who we see holding Jesus. “Now, Lord you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace. With my own eyes, I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples…” (Verses 29-31)

Jesus’ parents also brought a sacrifice of two birds on this occasion. When you are in the stairway between the sanctuary and fellowship hall, look for the two pigeons they brought. They can be seen in the lower left corner of this window.

My Lord and My God

Jesus appears to his disciple, Thomas, after the Resurrection.

In John 20, we read the story of Thomas, who said, “Unless I see the scars of the nails in his hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” (Verse 25)

In this window, we see Jesus showing St. Thomas the holes in his hands to prove that he is risen from the dead. In John 20: 28, we read Thomas’ response, “My Lord and my God!”

This window is found in the stairway between the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall.

Parables by the Sea

Matthew 13:1-9
“…Jesus…went to the lakeside, where he sat down to teach. The crowd…was so large that he got into a boat…while the crowd stood on the shore. He used parables to tell them many things.”

This is the window at the east end of the south wall of Fellowship Hall. It was given in memory of Mary Amelia Cleve by her husband John Clay Cleve – which you can read at the bottom of the window.

Of Such is the Kingdom of God

Luke 18:16
“…Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Remember this! Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.'”

A window with the same theme is found on the west wall of the sanctuary. This window is given in honor of William and Katherina Armbrust by the Children.

My Yoke is Easy

The boy Jesus is helping his father, Joseph, by bringing materials for him as he works. Mary is spinning as she watches. In this window, you will be able to see the plane in Joseph’s left hand. Jesus is carrying wood in the shape of a cross.

“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.” Luke 11: 28-30

This window is given in memory of William J. Elsasser by the Sisters.

Living Water

John 4: 5-26
Jesus asks the woman at the well for a drink of water. When she questions him he responds, “If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water… Whoever drinks this water will get thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring which will provide him with life-giving water and give him eternal life.”

This is the window at the west end of the south wall of Fellowship Hall and was given in memory of Anna Marie Elsassar by the Daughters.

Four Scenes from the Passion of Jesus

Christ in Gethsemane

Luke 22: 39-46

Jesus is praying and the disciples are sleeping. Jesus knows what is about to happen to him and asks for God’s help. “If you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.”

Since the area on the north side of Fellowship Hall is often closed off for special classes or activities, these windows are not always visible when you attend events there.

Christ praying in Gethsemane is also the theme of a window found in the narthex. The Life of Jesus window found on the south wall of the Sanctuary in the balcony also has Christ praying before the last supper.

Christ Before Pilate

John 18: 28 – 19:16

When Pilate could find no reason to condemn him, the crowd (note the fist in the lower left) shouted “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

Christ Carrying His Cross

John 19: 17-22
Jesus is carrying the cross upon which he will be crucified. The Roman soldier has a whip in his hands. In the background are the buildings of Jerusalem.

Christ Crucified

Luke 23:33-38, John 19: 16-37
Jesus is nailed on the cross, and looking at him are Mary, Jesus’ mother, and another Mary. On the cross is written, “This is the King of the Jews.”

These four windows are found on the north side of Fellowship Hall.