Harry Clarke Studio Stained Glass Windows

Stained Glass Windows, 1940s

The stained glass windows in St. Brigid Church were designed and made by the Harry Clarke Studio, Dublin, Ireland in the 1940s. They represent the masterpieces from the works of the major Irish symbolists of the 20th century.

“The Rose windows – there are three – contain all the wealth of ancient symbolism coming down to us from the time of the early Christian Church.” [Stained Glass booklet 1956, p.5]

“The technique employed in the making of the windows preserves to the fullest extent the jewel like brilliance of glass in the best traditions of the Art.” [Stained Glass booklet 1956, p6]

“All the colours are of permanent pot metal antique glass, made specifically for stained glass windows. The harmony achieved gives to the windows a quality reminiscent of the wondrous colours in windows of the Middle Ages, to be seen in the ancient Cathedrals of Europe.” [Stained Glass booklet 1956, p.6]

Saint Brigid, Saint Mel, Saint Patrick, Saint Columban are the great Irish saints used in the design of the stained glass windows.

“St. Brigid was a patroness of art.” [Stained Glass booklet 1956, p.7]

“The windows of St. Brigid and St. Mel occupy a place of honour in the transept each side of the Sanctuary, St. Brigid being on the North or Epistle side and St. Mel on the South or Gospel side of the high altar” [Stained Glass booklet 1956, p.7]

The St. Brigid Cross, which is traditionally hung above the door of every household in Ireland, is among the patterns of the stained glass windows. Other Irish motifs used are the harp, round tower and shamrock.

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All forty-one stained glass windows were donated by the parishioners of St. Brigid Church. The following inscriptions are recorded for the windows:
PARISHIONERS OF ST. BRIGID'S IN MEMORIAM DOMINICI BALANESI DONATA AB UXORE EJUS CATHERINA IN MEMORIAM JOSEPH VINCENTII MARITI SUI, ET JOSEPH PRIVIGNI DONO DEDIT GERTRUDIS DE LAVEAGA IN MEMORY OF GERTRUDE DE LAVEAGA AND THE COLLUM FAMILY IN MEMORY OF THOMAS F. RYAN MEMORIAL TO MARGARET M. COWLEY IN MEMORIAM JACOBI TIMOTHEI ET MICHAELIS O'CONNOR ALYCE SULLIVAN MURPHY	MEMORY OF MARY A.BLISS MEMORY OF FELIX S.MCGUINIS THOMAS F. KIERNAN & RICHARD O'BRIEN MARIE V. DOHERTY NORA SULLIVAN HELEN A. KROSNER JENNIE WALLACE CHAS L. & PAULINE E. HARNEY HONORA & PATRICK CASEY KATE LYNCH

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Photo Credit: Mr. Justyn Zolli

 

 

• The stained glass oval windows in the apse and above the high altar

• Saint Brigid

• Saint Mel

• The Rose Window of the Seven Sacraments

• The Rose Window of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

• The Rose Window at the choir loft, approx. 20' diameter

   

• The Five Joyful Mysteries
  • The Annunication

  • The Visitation

  • The Nativity

  • The Presentation

  • The Finding in the Temple

• The Five Glorious Mysteries
  • The Resurrection

  • The Ascension

  • The Descent of the Holy Ghost

  • The Assumption

  • The Coronation

   

• Sacred Heart

• Immaculate Heart of Mary

• Saint Patrick

• Saint Columban

• Saint Francis of Assisi

• Our Lady of Guadalupe

• Our Lord & Saint Mary Magdalen

• Our Lord & Saint Margaret Mary

• Saint Joseph

• Saint Therese

• Saint Pius X

• Immaculate Conception
 

 

 

Reference: Booklet "Stained Glass Windows in St. Brigid's Church, San Francisco, California 1956 Leinster Leader Limited, Naas, Eire"

 

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Committee To Save St. Brigid Church
P.O. Box 641318, San Francisco, CA 94164-1318
http://www.st-brigid.org
e-mail: stbrigidchurch_sf@yahoo.com

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