Faith depicted in ‘living stones’
Show GalleryHUNTERSVILLE — The nave of St. Mark Church has undergone a colorful transformation, thanks to a years-long effort that culminated in March.
The church’s previous clear windows have been replaced with 22 custom stained-glass windows depicting the 20 mysteries of the rosary, along with two other windows representing the Old Testament (Moses and The 10 Commandments) and the New Testament (St. Peter with the Keys of the Kingdom).
Scenes from the rosary, an ancient prayer of the Church which focuses on the life of Christ, now visually envelope congregants with colorful rays of light as they enter the 1,500-seat church.
“When I arrived at the parish, (former pastor) Monsignor Richard Bellow mentioned that he always wanted to have windows depicting the mysteries of the rosary,” recalls Father John Putnam, pastor. “During the building of the church, there were no funds for this project. I thought it was a great idea and would be a fitting project to honor the pastor-emeritus.”
Church buildings, in the rich tradition of Catholicism, are visual teachers of the faith, the faith expressed in “living stones,” he says. “It is important that we recover this aspect of church architecture so as to engage the whole person in the important work of worship and formation.”
Besides Father Putnam, former parochial vicars Father Noah Carter and Father Brian Becker also had a hand in selecting the images for the stained-glass windows with an eye for Biblical accuracy in the scenes.
The 22 stained-glass windows were created by artist Ronald Dixon of Dixon Studio in Staunton, Va. Todd Hinkle, a craftsman of Dixon Studio, welded and installed the windows over the course of nearly two and a half years.
“The mysteries are grounded in the life of Christ on Earth, as viewed through the eyes of His apostles and followers,” explains Dixon’s wife, Annie. “Ron has portrayed them as scenes with activity and drama so viewers can meditate on the experience of the people portrayed. He used a rich color palette that includes a blue border and lots of physical background: green foliage, colored flowers, gray stone, brown wood, etc.
“The angels above the Gothic arch in each scene are portrayed in amber and act as an intermediary for Christ and for us, between heaven and earth, watching over the scenes, and occasionally participating,” she notes.
The 22 windows were funded by individual families, parishioners who came together as a group, parish organizations and ministries like the Knights of Columbus, and clergy. Sponsorships were available for $22,000 per window.
Dixon Studio installed the first window, “The Ascension of Jesus,” on Oct. 17, 2018. The final window “Epilogue: St. Peter with the Keys to the Kingdom,” was installed March 18.
The window depicting the fourth glorious mystery, “The Assumption of Mary,” was donated by the parish’s Knights of Columbus Council 12654. The council’s late Grand Knight, Steve Romeo, had a great love of the Blessed Virgin Mary – promoting devotion to her at the Huntersville parish, especially on Marian feast days, and organizing the parish’s first Marian procession in 2009.
“As a Knight we don’t carry a sword instead we carry rosary beads as our weapon of choice. However for Steve it was much more personal. He was devoted to Mary! He prayed the rosary every day,” says current Grand Knight Vince Famularo. He and former Grand Knight Earle Markey were present to help with the installation of the “Assumption of Mary” window on July 20, 2020.
“The window is beautiful,” Famularo observes. “The artist captured her lovely face. When we go to Mass we attempt to sit by the window and offer prayers to our Blessed Mother and for Steve’s soul.”
Parishioners funded the fifth glorious mystery window, “The Coronation.” It is the heaviest of all 22 windows at approximately 150 pounds, with the most individual pieces of glass and the most lead came to hold them together.
Amy Burger, parish public relations coordinator, has painstakingly photographed the stained glass windows as each has been installed.
“I’m fascinated by how different the windows look from the outside, compared to looking at them from the inside,” Burger says. She is really amazed by the “Assumption of Mary” window donated by the Knights of Columbus.
“This image of Mary is fascinating in this window. It is as if she is looking at you one way and then another as you get closer,” she observes. “It has been an absolute joy to witness and help with the installation of every window.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter Amy Burger contributed. Photos by Paul E. Johnson, Amy Burger and Dixon Studio
