St. James Episcopal Church in Alexandria, LA installs centennial stained-glass window

Founded in 1844 by Bishop Leonidas Polk, the St. James Episcopal Church parish has occupied four different structures in its 180 plus year history. The current and fourth Church building began construction in 1925 and laid its cornerstone in January, 1926. To commemorate the centennial of the Church building, the people of St. James contracted with the esteemed Willet Stained Glass Studios, Winona, MN to design, execute and install a new window to be installed behind the baptismal font.

The window theme is based on the Morning Prayer canticle, A Song of Creation, and beautifully depicts the Holy Trinity as the source of and receiving the praises of all creation. According to the Willet window designer, Mark Bleakley: “Beginning with the Angels and Powers of the Lord suggested by Seraphim and Cherubim, every part of Creation takes its place in worship—Sun and Moon, Stars of Heaven, Winds of God, Winter and Summer, Ice and Snow, Nights and Days, Mountains and Hills, green things upon the Earth, Springs, Seas, Floods, all that moves in the Waters, Fowls, Beasts and Cattle.” In the bottom center lancet of the window, there is a depiction of the Church building celebrating its centennial.

O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.