SASKATOON — Stained-glass windows have been a feature of theological art for many centuries. As the light shines through the images of saints, other biblical characters and depictions of biblical stories, we Christians are invited to contemplate their faith and meaning and to consider how we might apply what we see to our own lives.
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Saskatoon has a beautiful display of this art that has accumulated over more than a century. The upper clerestory windows depict figures from the Old Testament while the nave windows depict New Testament saints.
Larger windows around the font have a children’s theme showing the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Jesus as a young boy teaching in the Temple and the exhortation of Christ to “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.”
Large, multi-pane windows in the transepts and sanctuary carry stories of the life of Christ. The earliest windows were installed at the time of construction in 1912 and are of English origin. Most of the windows are the product of McCausland Stained Glass, the oldest stained-glass company in the Western Hemisphere, founded in 1856.
Two new windows were installed recently. The Amos window is a gift of the Wright family to commemorate Lynette Wright, wife of Judge David Wright. The St. Cecelia window is a memorial to Shirley and Peter Pridmore.
Two other windows are now being created. The first, a St. George window, will be a gift of the congregation of St. George Parish, Saskatoon that recently closed.
We have been pleased to welcome some members of this former congregation who are making their church home at St. John’s. Another, second window, is a gift of a parishioner, and will be a memorial to her father.
A parishioner has made a donation to establish a fund for the large window in the chapel. Her intention is that it be dedicated to those who had the vision, over many years, to build, maintain and restore this beautiful cathedral.
If contributing collectively to this window might be of interest, a donation of any size would be welcome and all donors or memorials would be recognized with a suitable acknowledgement near the chapel window. Contact the Rector at [email protected].
