The Story of the Stained Glass Windows
In the Horseshoe Bend United Methodist Church
Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas
The first windows in our church were clear glass, but before September 1973, six stained
glass windows were installed and dedicated. Reverend Denzel Stokes was the pastor who had
succeeded Reverend Harrell Ford in June 1972.
The windows were made 8" x 12" Faceted Color Glass from West Virginia, with swirls
molded in Epoxy Resin. The sand on the back is white Silica sand from Guion, Arkansas, and
used to mold the glass. (This information was furnish-ed by Hopcroft Glass Company, Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. They made and installed these windows.)
The information for this material was contributed by Marie Gingles, Ethel Barr, and Deanna
Miller.
Key
6
5
4
1
2
3
1
Representing Peter, with crossed keys. The symbol best suited to him is the "crossed
keys" which refers to a statement by Jesus, "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of
heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you
loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:19) The keys are gold and silver,
and they represent heaven and earth.
Representing James, the Greator, are three scallops and a sword. James, the brother
of John, is also called the "Elder", to distinguish him from the other apostle named
James. James, the Greator, was the first apostle to suffer martyrdom, dying under the
sword of Herod Agrippa. He is symbolized by three scallops, which refer to long pilgrimages, and a spear for his martyr-dom.
This window was given by Malcon Miller in memory of Dr. John Wesley Miller, his
father, who was a Methodist Minister, and was at one time a circuit rider in Texas.
2
Representing Jude (Thaddaeus, Lebbaeus, Judas the brother of James) is the symbol
of a ship with the mast in the shape of the cross. A man of many names who tradition
says traveled with Simon as a missionary. What better to represent a missionary than a
ship.
Representing Matthias is a double edged ax with Bible. Matthias was the one chosen
by the early disciples to take the place of Judas Iscariot. The story is in Acts 1: 15-26.
This window was given in memory of Mr. George D. Humphrey, by his wife, Bea.
3
Representing Simon, the Zealot, are the symbols of a fish on a hook. Simon was a
member of the Zealots, a political group of fanatic patriots who believed in national
freedom for Israel, with no compromise with Rome. He became a Zealot for Jesus.
The symbols are fitting for a successful "fisher-of-men" through the gospel.
Representing Levi (Matthew) are the symbols of three money bags. He was a despised tax collector, a job the Jews generally held to be on the same level as prostitutes.
In reference to that job, his symbol is the three money bags.
This window was given by Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hill in memory of their daughter,
Darlene Hill Bell.
4
Representing James, the Less, is the symbol of a saw with the handle at the top. James
was the son of Alphaeus and is usually referred to as the "Less" because of another James
mentioned more often in the story of the apostles. When he was ninety-six years old, he
was thrown from the Temple by the Pharisees and an infuriated mob stoned him as he
prayed to God to forgive them.
Representing Philip is a Treflee Cross, with three small circles at the end of each arm.
Philip is credited with br-inging Nathanael to Jesus. A cross symbolizes Philip, maybe to
show how he died (no real evidence to show this is true) or it could be because of the many
times and places that he preached about the cross of Jesus. The three circles on the arms of
the cross stand for the Trinity.
This window was given in honor of Reverend and Mrs. Harrell Ford (a former pastor) by
Mr. and Mrs. William Pratt.
5
Representing Andrew is a St. Andrew Cross in the shape of an "X". The brother of
Simon Peter who was a fisherman with Peter, James, and John. He brought Peter to Jesus
and the small boy with the few loaves and fishes which Jesus used to feed the five thousand. This cross bears his name because he was tied to it and crucified. He is the Patron
Saint of England and his cross is part of their flag.
Representing John is the symbol of a serpent coming from a common cup. He is referred to as "that disciple whom Jesus loved". From the cross he was told to take care of
Mary, the mother of Jesus, and from that time on she became his mother. The serpent part
of the symbol came about because of a story that someone attempted to poison John, but
was unsuccessful when the poison vanished in the form of a serpent. The cup is the reference by Jesus that his followers would have to drink from His cup.
This window was given in memory of James Groves by his wife, Gracie.
6
Representing Thomas are symbols of a spear and a carpenter’s square. Thomas will be
remembered for his doubting the resurrection unless he could see the evidence. Some writers say that he built a church in India, doing much of the work, the square or ruler, refers to
him as a builder. The spear refers to his supposed martyrdom at the hand of King Midsai of
India for converting Queen Tertia to Christianity.
Representing Bartholomew (Nathanael) are the symbols of flaying knives. He is the one
who came at the invitation of Philip and saw what convinced him that Jesus was the Christ,
and he became a loyal follower of Jesus. Tradition says he won King Polmus of Armenia
to Christianity, but the brother of the king was so angry that he had Bartholomew flayed,
crucified head downward, and the beheaded. The symbols refer to his martyrdom.
This window was given in memory of Mr. Carl Carlson by his wife, Edith (Edith Regenold).