Saint Mark's Stained Glass Windows

Saint Mark's Church is home to seven lovely stained glass windows depicting flowers as symbols of religious significance through the centuries.  They are a memorial to Vera C. Hicks by Nelson Hicks, a former member of Saint Mark's, and the Hicks family.  Each window is an original design by the artist, a niece of Mr. Hicks living in Arizona.  Going counterclockwise, beginning at the left front of the nave, the windows glow with the handiwork of the Lord.

Morning Glory - Morning Glory seeds were sent by Cortez to Spanish monasteries and quickly became known for their beauty and perfection.  They were used to illuminate manuscripts as a reminder of God's creation and the brevity of life.

Rose - Since the first century the white Christmas rose symbolized the nativity, light, joy, purity, innocence and glory.  Early legend said that the white rose turned red with the blood of the crucifixion. The Rose is a universal symbol of love, hope, paradise, beauty and is one of the flowers of Mary.

Iris - The Iris is associated with the Holy Trinity because of three distinct divisions in its conventional form.  It is also associated with the Virgin, denoting purity, spiritual light and the annunciation.

Lily - The Lily represents purity, chastity and innocence, and as an Easter flower it stands for resurrection and immortality.  The Madonna Lily is sacred to the Virgin Mary.

Dogwood - The Dogwood blossom suggests the shape of the cross of Christ.  Although unknown in Bible lands, legend spread that it once grew tall like a tree and was used for the crucifixion, then was distressed and no longer grew tall, instead developing blossoms in the shape of a cross and a crown of thorns in the middle.

Poppy - The Poppy window (behind the pipe organ) symbolizes fertility and alludes to Christ's Passion from its bold red color and its significance in death. 

Columbine - The Columbine window (in the Sacristy) represents innocence.  In Biblical symbolism it represents the association of the Holy Spirit descending as a dove.  The seven petals signify the seven gifts of the spirit described in the Book of  Isaiah 11:2.

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