Stained Glass Windows

Our Sanctuary has six very large and beautiful stained glass windows that depict the chronological order of events in the life of Christ. A description of the individual panels is listed underneath each window.

In 1927, Venice-Nokomis United Methodist Church contained five Gothic style glass windows on each side of the building. There was also one stained glass window on each side of the front entrance bringing the total number of windows to twelve. In 1965, the Administration Board approved a campaign to raise funds to replace the existing glass windows in the sanctuary with stained glass. The Mueller Company located in Zephyrhills, Florida was contacted and asked to submit a recommendation for a series of pictures reflecting the life of Christ. His proposal was accepted at a cost of $750.00 per window. The money was raised through donations within six months.

It wasn’t discovered until this campaign that the current window openings were not the same size. A stone mason had to be hired to square up the window frames before Mr. Mueller could proceed.

Mr. Mueller and his two sons made it a habit to go to New York when a ship was scheduled to arrive to personally select the best glass available for his designs. His efforts show in the brightness and true colors that are displayed in each of our stained glass windows.

In 1978, the Church was torn down and in its place rose our present Sanctuary. The original twelve stained glass windows were incorporated into six large windows. This was accomplished by placing two of the original windows on each side of a new central panel plus adding a new section over the top of each panel which enclosed them forming one large window. The new central and top panels were made by Nobis Studios located in St. Petersburg, Florida since the Mueller Company was no longer in business. The colors in these panels are a little bit different because they were not made by the same company. The top panel’s display the symbols used to represent the Twelve Disciples.

Click on the individual thumbnails to view a full size photograph.

Annunication Lily for Purity Nativity Scene

Jesus as Youth in Temple Baptismal Font The Good Shepherd

Woman at the Well Jesus Feeds 5000 Jesus as a Teacher

Entry into Jerusalem Elements for Last Supper Gethsemane

Crucifixion The Celtic Cross Resurrection

Ascension The Pascal Lamb Pentecost

The Twelve Disciples

Window #1 Top Left: Peter - Two keys crossed like the letter X Top Right: James the Greater - 3 Scallop Seashells Window #2 Top Left: John - Chalice with snake Top Right: Andrew - X shaped Cross Window #3 Top Left: Philip - Basket Top Right: Bartholomew - 3 Knifes Window #4 Top Left: Matthew - Three Money Bags Top Right: Simon the Zealot - Fish on a Book Window #5 Top Left: Thomas - Vertical Spear & Carpenter’s square Top Right: James the Less - Vertical handsaw Window #6 Top Left: Matthias - Bible with double battle-ax Top Right: Jude - Ship at full sail

"The Welcoming Christ" Stained Glass Window

If you leave the Sanctuary by the front doors you will find a 7th stained glass window above the entrance. It is referred to as “The Welcoming Christ” or “Come unto Me” Stained Glass Window. As shown at the top of the page, it features Jesus with His arms outstretched to symbolize Him welcoming His children into the kingdom. The window originally hung above the front entrance of the old Church and was presented by the United Methodist Women in 1965. When the current Sanctuary was built the feet of Jesus had to be removed in order to get the window to fit which is still a controversial subject today.

Stained Glass Windows Welcoming Christ Stained Glass Window Photograph by Badger Photography LLC. © Copyrighted. Used by Permission

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