The Stained Glass Windows of St. Francis Xavier…
The stained glass windows of St. Francis Xavier Church are among the most ornate and beautiful in all of Northern Michigan. Designed and crafted by the renowned Emil Frei Glass Company of St. Louis, Missouri, these windows showcase exceptional artistry and craftsmanship.
You can find the company’s signature in the lower left corner of the Nativity Window, located above the entrance to the Gathering Space. Remarkably, the Emil Frei Glass Company is still in operation today ( https://www.emilfrei.com/ ), carrying on a tradition of excellence that spans generations.
Although detailed records of our specific windows were lost over time, the company was able to identify the artist based on the distinctive style of the work. They estimate that the windows were installed between 1910 and 1915, shortly after the church building was completed in 1908.
The windows remain a treasured part of our parish’s history and a beautiful testament to the faith and artistry of those who came before us.
Over the coming days and weeks, we will be adding the details for all our windows.
The Windows
Scenes from the Life of Christ (in the main body of the church)…
- The Nativity (located above the Gathering Space Entrance)
- The Annunciation
- Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple
- Boy Jesus in the Temple
- Jesus with the Children
- Jesus and Woman at the Well
- The Wedding Feast at Cana
- The Penitent Woman Washing the Feet of Jesus
- The Agony in the Garden
- The Resurrection
- “Feed My Sheep”
- The Ascension