St. Luke's Episcopal's soaring windows are backlit at night, showcasing their jeweltones. (Contributing Author: Linda Taubenreuther, Monrovia-based freelance writer)
In a city filled with architecturally significant places of worship, Monrovia's Saint Luke's Episcopal Church is a standout. The Romanesque beauty at Wildrose and California is dazzled with 46 massive jewel toned stained glass windows by Judson Studios, America's oldest family-run stained glass company. This year, as Judson's ongoing restoration addresses any bowing, reglazing and resealing issues, it's time to take a closer look at these masterworks. Here's the link to St. Luke's stained glass windows.
Soaring above eye level on the north and south sides of the building, the brilliantly hued eight-foot windows are backlit at night. Each is a symbol-rich portrait of an Old or New Testament figure. Subjects include a Creation window plus dazzling depictions of Moses parting the Red Sea and Jesus walking on water. The only non-Biblical subject, the last to be dedicated in 1984, features renowned author and Anglican theologian C.S. Lewis, considered by many to be one of the 20th century’s greatest writers and teachers.
In a city filled with architecturally significant places of worship, Monrovia's Saint Luke's Episcopal Church is a standout. The Romanesque beauty at Wildrose and California is dazzled with 46 massive jewel toned stained glass windows by Judson Studios, America's oldest family-run stained glass company. This year, as Judson's ongoing restoration addresses any bowing, reglazing and resealing issues, it's time to take a closer look at these masterworks. Here's the link to St. Luke's stained glass windows.
Soaring above eye level on the north and south sides of the building, the brilliantly hued eight-foot windows are backlit at night. Each is a symbol-rich portrait of an Old or New Testament figure. Subjects include a Creation window plus dazzling depictions of Moses parting the Red Sea and Jesus walking on water. The only non-Biblical subject, the last to be dedicated in 1984, features renowned author and Anglican theologian C.S. Lewis, considered by many to be one of the 20th century’s greatest writers and teachers.
The crowning work is a colossal rose window set above the main entrance, framed inside with a wreath of organ pipes. By the time the building was consecrated in May 1926, St. Luke's had been in Monrovia for over three decades. Its first services were held in 1891 in a rented room at Myrtle and Palm. In 1908, the church consecrated its first home at 206 South Myrtle. By 1923, the congregation had outgrown that building and acquired four lots at Wildrose and California, where the church still stands today.
St. Luke's was designed by Carleton M. Winslow (1876-1946), a major enthusiast of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Southern California. Among his high-profile assignments were Supervising Architect of the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, completer of the LA Central Library, and designer of many major LA area churches and notable private homes.
In the words of its rector, The Rev. Neil Tadken, “After decades of financial neglect, St. Luke’s has reclaimed its place among the most beautiful and spiritually rich houses of worship in Southern California. The only thing that outshines the physical beauty of its structure and location is the beauty of the community within its doors: complemented by rich liturgy, extraordinary music and acoustics, and inclusive hospitality.”
St. Luke's was designed by Carleton M. Winslow (1876-1946), a major enthusiast of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture in Southern California. Among his high-profile assignments were Supervising Architect of the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, completer of the LA Central Library, and designer of many major LA area churches and notable private homes.
In the words of its rector, The Rev. Neil Tadken, “After decades of financial neglect, St. Luke’s has reclaimed its place among the most beautiful and spiritually rich houses of worship in Southern California. The only thing that outshines the physical beauty of its structure and location is the beauty of the community within its doors: complemented by rich liturgy, extraordinary music and acoustics, and inclusive hospitality.”
 The Annunciation Window captures the moment of the angel's revelation to Mary. |  The St. Lydia Of Philippi Window, also "The Woman of Purple," the first-known follower of Jesus. |
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