First United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, includes a sanctuary graced by the beauty of ten stained glass windows that were installed at the time the church was constructed in 1926. They convey in their scenes some of the major highlights and teachings in the life of Jesus, from his birth to his ascension into heaven.
Most of these portraits of Jesus in stained glass are reproductions of paintings of well-known artists. The George Hardy Payne Studios of Paterson, New Jersey, created the windows in the Tiffany style. Opalescent glass in rich jewel tones allows mellow light to flood the sanctuary. To achieve an effect of three dimensionality, multiple layers of glass are fired and fused; molded glass simulates folds and shadow. Skin and hair are painted by hand, and then fired. These windows are precious today and irreplaceable.
Docent-led tours of Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper recreated in stained glass are available every Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. Give yourself, your friends, or club the opportunity to learn the story behind the artist and his Renaissance masterpiece. Special tours may be scheduled by contacting the church office.
NEW POSTCARDS
Beautiful note cards depicting all 10 stained glass windows are now available.
Contact the church office for more info.
Photography by Joel Cocker.
