"The Christ of Our City and the City of God"
 
Stained Glass Window (01)   -  Saint Augustine By-the-Sea Episcopal Church
    
Stained Glass Window   -  Saint Augustine By-the-Sea Episcopal Church

 
The radiance and purity of color are due to the high-quality glass, which is between one and two inches thick. The inner surface of certain pieces is faceted conchoidally (a shell-shaped fracture formed by a blow to the surface) to refract the light, causing a sparkle similar to the facets on precious stones. The binding material is epoxy and the exterior of the Narthex window has mosaic tiles laid into it.

The Narthex window is conceived as the Church's witness to the community. It has been carefully designed so that the image of Christ is powerfully present on both sides of the window. When viewed from the inside, the image is formed in the traditional manner of light passing through glass. When seen from the street, multi-colored tessarae (four-sided) tiles set into the epoxy create the figure. This window serves as the link between the Church and the world.

A large figure of Christ dominates the window, and around His feet are details reminiscent of the community of Santa Monica in the 1960's - - a missile representing the aerospace industry, oil derricks, klieg lights, an airplane, factories, the Santa Monica Mission, and orange trees. The heavenly city, or the New Jerusalem of the Book of Revelation, forms a halo around His head. Christ's arms are outstretched in invitation to all.

 

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