SANCTUARY WINDOWS

In 1945 Grace United Methodist Church was completely destroyed by fire.  As the townspeople watched the flames consume the beautiful edifice, the two stained glass windows were the last remnants of the building to remain standing. 

     The collective talents of Grace’s congregation planned, constructed and dedicated the elegant new church within four years.  Many contributed to the successful erection of the new building-local artisans, other community churches and people from other areas of the state.  The inspiring story is published in Grace United Methodist Church: Serving God and the Pickens Community Since 1868.

 The building committee’s goals were to educate and inspire all worshippers through stained glass window images of the life of Christ.  Building committee member Thelma Bivens said, “Let’s leave our children at least as beautiful a church as our parents left us.  Let’s build a church so distinctively a house of worship that no one will have to ask what kind of building it is.”

CHRIST AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER
Matthew 26: 36-46
Depicting Jesus talking with the rich young ruler about giving to the poor, this largest window is above the balcony. The Bivens family provided this window in memory of T. L. Bivens, Sr., T. L. Bivens, Jr., Henry Frank Bivens, Genie Heath Bivens, and Nannie Heath Bivens.
CHRIST IN THE GARDEN
Matthew 19: 16-26
This central worship window depicts Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane after the Last Supper and is closely based on Johann Heinrich Hoffman’s famous painting. Mary Sadler Southerland, who gave the large pulpit Bible in memory of her grandmother Mary Anderson Kirksey, was paying for this window but died before her dedication wishes were recorded.

TALL WINDOWS ON SIDE WALLS

    Vivid fine art medallions are in the ten side windows, with each medallion surrounded by finely crafted stained glass.  Joseph Llorens of Llorens Glass Company, Atlanta, Georgia, was the artist/craftsman who created them from copies of many works of art submitted to him.

     Church members gave sacrificially to purchase memorial windows at $300 each providing a stunningly beautiful church to replace the one that burned in 1945.  Christ and the Rich Young Ruler cost $1600 and Christ in the Garden cost $1400.

     Following are brief descriptions, beginning with the first one on the left as you enter the front door.

BIRTH OF JESUS
Luke 2: 1-21
Rev. Hawley Lynn, pastor of Grace when the church burned in 1945 and when the new church was dedicated in 1949, gave this window in memory of his wife, Katherine Gault Lynn who died in 1946.
BOY JESUS IN THE TEMPLE
Luke 2: 41-51
Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Palmer gave this window in memory of their son Michael Day Palmer who drowned at age ten in 1946.
BAPTISM OF JESUS
Matthew 3: 13-17
In memory of Janie Robertson Bowie who was postmaster at Nimmons in Pickens County.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Matthew 5-7
In Memory of Rosa McFall Cantrell, given by husband Bill Cantrell.
CLEANSING THE TEMPLE
Matthew 21: 12-13
Given by Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Singleton to memorialize their son C. Kenneth Singleton who lost his life in World War II during a flying mission over the Pacific.
THE LAST SUPPER
Mark 14: 12-26
In memory of James Monroe Gillespie and Mary Ellis Gillespie, whose son Leo later became Anderson District Superintendent.
CRUCIFIXION
Mark 15: 22-25
In memory of father and son Nicholas T. Teague and Robert C. Teague; Robert lost his life in World War II in the battle of Layte in the Philippines.
CHRIST AT THE DOOR
Revelation 3:20
Given in memory of James Earle Hagood and Esther Benson Hagood, this window is a reproduction of one of the windows that burned, with the same inscription as the original made in 1913.
JESUS BLESSES CHILDREN
Luke 18:15-17
Dedicated to the children of the church and the world by Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Aiken. Mrs. Aiken taught young children and was particularly interest in including children of all races.
GO AND PREACH
Mark 16:15
In memory of Rev. Horace E. Gravely, the only chaplain from SC who lost his life in World War II, in a convoy en route to Iceland. He served the SC Conference 14 years and was called to service because he was a member of ROTC at Wofford College.