About Us
Our Patron Saint

The Remarkable Stained Glass Windows
of St. Augustine

The writers of the bible are represented on in our windows
St. Matthew, St Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.

Pictured below are the four great doctors of the Church
St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome and St. Gregory.

St. Ambrose, the archbishop of Milan, was an eloquent preacher and is symbolized in Christian art by a beehive, apparently denoting the sweetness of his doctrine. St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo and patron saint of the parish, was for 35 years the center of ecclesiastical life in Africa. His symbol is a flaming heart, pierced by a sword. St. Jerome, a learned Hebrew scholar translated the Holy Bible and produced Latin Vulgate. He devoted the last 30 years of his life to the solitary existence of a hermit, and is symbolized by the book and quill. Finally, St. Gregory I, who revised ecclesiastical chant and restore discipline to the Church while serving as Pope in the Seventh Century, is symbolized by the Papal tiara.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul

The remaining windows in front of St. Augustine represent some of the great figures of the Bible. On one side are Saints Peter and Paul; opposite the apostles are Mary Magdalene and Martha, each of whom devoutly followed Christ during his years on earth. Nearby, St. Anne is shown teaching her holy daughter the commandments and St. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, is shown with a spindle in her hand.

Father McDonough explained in his study of the window-art of St. Augustine that the seven aisle windows each contain four pictures that, together, represent 28 different incidents in the life of Christ. The scenes include Annunciation, the Visitation, the Nativity, the Adoration of the Shepherds, the Flight into Egypt, Christ Among the Doctors, the Baptism, the Transfiguration, the Raising of Lazarus, the Rich Young Man, the Agony in the Garden, The Flagellation, the Crown of Thorns, Ecce Homo, Bearing the Cross, Jesus Meets His Mother, Veronica, Raising the Cross, Casting Lots, Piercing the Side of Jesus, Descent from the Cross, Entombment, Resurrection, Touch Me Not, Ascension, and Descent of the Holy Spirit.

In the windows overlooking the church from the organ loft, three angels are portrayed in brilliant color. And at the top of the stairway leading to the gallery is a window with a scene famous in Catholic art; St. Michael the Archangel overcoming a dragon.

"On a sunny afternoon I stopped into Saint Augustine for a moment of prayer and quiet. I was awed by the beauty of the windows. Many of the great saints in our history surrounded me. Scenes from the life of Christ brought a rush of Bible memories. High above the altar were images of the Triune God: the creative hand of the Father; Jesus, the sacrificed lamb; the dove, symbol of the Spirit that vitalizes us and gives us peace of soul. Somehow, most of what we believe is embodied in those marvelous stained glass windows."

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