| Peter Dohmen Stained Glass Windows
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The stained glass windows of Capitol Drive Lutheran Church constitute a significant contribution to the cultural assets of the congregation and the entire community. Among the finest in the world, they are the work of Peter Dohmen of St. Paul, Minnesota, and were crafted in Germany. Begun shortly after the dedication of the church in 1956, the installation was complete in 1967.
This page is a work in progress as research is underway to examine the history, biblical meaning, and other aspects of our Stained Glass Windows. A PDF file about the windows is available below. This document is a reprint of “THE WINDOWS OF CAPITOL DRIVE CHURCH” as obtained from the church archives. No date is indicated on this publication. Please check back for updates to this page which will include more images of the windows and their meanings.
The stained glass windows of Capitol Drive Lutheran Church constitute a significant contribution to the cultural assets of the congregation and the entire community. Among the finest in the world, they are the work of Peter Dohmen of St. Paul, Minnesota, and were crafted in Germany. Begun shortly after the dedication of the church in 1956, the installation was complete in 1967.
This page is a work in progress as research is underway to examine the history, biblical meaning, and other aspects of our Stained Glass Windows. A PDF file about the windows is available below. This document is a reprint of “THE WINDOWS OF CAPITOL DRIVE CHURCH” as obtained from the church archives. No date is indicated on this publication. Please check back for updates to this page which will include more images of the windows and their meanings.
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The transom above the principal entrance to the church (54th Street) pictures the nurture of the Christian fellowship in Holy Communion. The fish design, appearing throughout Mr. Dohmen’s work, is the most ancient of Christian symbols, dating from the time of the catacombs and the early persecutions. The Greek word for fish, ichtus (ІΧΘΥΣ), forms an acrostic which proclaims Jesus Christ as Son of God and Savior. The fish is also one of the basic nutrients of life.
  
Transom Windows - Left, Center, and Right.
The side panels are filled with Reformation symbols: the Luther seal, the rose, the lyre, the torch, the tower, the nails of the posting of the theses.
 
Transom Windows - Side Panels, South & North
(Pictures to be inserted.)
Transom Windows - Upper Left & Upper Right
The transom above the principal entrance to the church (54th Street) pictures the nurture of the Christian fellowship in Holy Communion. The fish design, appearing throughout Mr. Dohmen’s work, is the most ancient of Christian symbols, dating from the time of the catacombs and the early persecutions. The Greek word for fish, ichtus (ІΧΘΥΣ), forms an acrostic which proclaims Jesus Christ as Son of God and Savior. The fish is also one of the basic nutrients of life.
Transom Windows - Left, Center, and Right.
The side panels are filled with Reformation symbols: the Luther seal, the rose, the lyre, the torch, the tower, the nails of the posting of the theses.
Transom Windows - Side Panels, South & North
(Pictures to be inserted.)
Transom Windows - Upper Left & Upper Right
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The life of Christ is pictured in fifteen panels in the south and north aisles.
Beginning at the southwest corner of the nave:
1. Annunciation
2. Navitity
3. Adoration of the Magi
4. Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
5. Carpenter of Nazareth
6. Baptism of Jesus
Beginning at the northwest corner of the nave:
7. Miracle at Cana
8. Parable of the Sower
9. Feeding of the 5,000
10. Palm Sunday
11. Last Supper
12. Denial and Betrayal
13. Instruments of the Passion
14. Crucifixion
15. Resurrection
(The north aisle windows between the nave and chapel (windows 12, 13 14, & 15) are unique in that they were designed to tell their story from either side.)
Note: The photographs of the south aisle windows (1-6) and the north aisle windows (7-11) were taken under different outdoor lighting conditions. Windows 12 through 15 were taken with the lights off in the chapel behind with the light source being the flash from the camera and the stained glass windows that are in the chapel.
The life of Christ is pictured in fifteen panels in the south and north aisles.
Beginning at the southwest corner of the nave:
1. Annunciation
2. Navitity
3. Adoration of the Magi
4. Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
5. Carpenter of Nazareth
6. Baptism of Jesus
Beginning at the northwest corner of the nave:
7. Miracle at Cana
8. Parable of the Sower
9. Feeding of the 5,000
10. Palm Sunday
11. Last Supper
12. Denial and Betrayal
13. Instruments of the Passion
14. Crucifixion
15. Resurrection
(The north aisle windows between the nave and chapel (windows 12, 13 14, & 15) are unique in that they were designed to tell their story from either side.)
Note: The photographs of the south aisle windows (1-6) and the north aisle windows (7-11) were taken under different outdoor lighting conditions. Windows 12 through 15 were taken with the lights off in the chapel behind with the light source being the flash from the camera and the stained glass windows that are in the chapel.
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The granite and masonry wall above the west gallery is pierced by a cross filled with symbols of the passion and death of our Lord.
The granite and masonry wall above the west gallery is pierced by a cross filled with symbols of the passion and death of our Lord.
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Theme of these principal windows of the church, as proposed to the artist by Pastor John H. Baumgaertner, is “Humanity Making It’s Encounter With God.” Our world and our need, often overlooked in the great ecclesiastical art of the past, is presented in the first and second windows, beginning from the west: 1) varied worldly occupations, 2) temptations and tribulations. From this preoccupation and this burden we come 3) seeking the presence and power of God and begin to be transformed, endowed with new life and freedom. 4) People now turn to serving others by sharing. Acts of love and mercy lift them into a new life of meaning and purpose. We help to send the “good news” into all the world, offering the truth that grants freedom to brothers and sisters still in bondage. 5) We lift up our hearts to God in joyous worship, in prayer and praise, in the music of voice and instrument, even as we receive the continuing nurture of Word and Sacrament.
Theme of these principal windows of the church, as proposed to the artist by Pastor John H. Baumgaertner, is “Humanity Making It’s Encounter With God.” Our world and our need, often overlooked in the great ecclesiastical art of the past, is presented in the first and second windows, beginning from the west: 1) varied worldly occupations, 2) temptations and tribulations. From this preoccupation and this burden we come 3) seeking the presence and power of God and begin to be transformed, endowed with new life and freedom. 4) People now turn to serving others by sharing. Acts of love and mercy lift them into a new life of meaning and purpose. We help to send the “good news” into all the world, offering the truth that grants freedom to brothers and sisters still in bondage. 5) We lift up our hearts to God in joyous worship, in prayer and praise, in the music of voice and instrument, even as we receive the continuing nurture of Word and Sacrament.
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It is appropriate that the chancel windows should be dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in this most sacred area of the church. The theme is traditional: Creation-Father, Redemption Son, and Sanctification-Holy Spirit. The execution of the theme is contemporary symbolic art in its finest expression, presenting a variety of exciting forms and the blending of vivid color.
It is appropriate that the chancel windows should be dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in this most sacred area of the church. The theme is traditional: Creation-Father, Redemption Son, and Sanctification-Holy Spirit. The execution of the theme is contemporary symbolic art in its finest expression, presenting a variety of exciting forms and the blending of vivid color.
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A unique approach is again evidence in the smaller windows directly beneath the ceiling in the north and south walls. These were deliberately designed and executed totally in abstract, without any contrived meaning or purpose other than to challenge the viewer’s imagination and religious perception with form and color. The thoughtful spectator is invited to read in these fascinating compositions whatever meaning may come to mind at the moment. Or they may remain uninterpreted, ecclesiastical fireworks raise to the glory of God.
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North wall over the transcept, beginning from the left (northwest):
1. North Transcept Left 2. North Transcept Right
South wall over the transcept beginning from the left (southeast):
 
3. South Transcept Left 4. South Transcept Right
South wall of the nave, continued in-line with the south transcept windows, from the left (southeast):
 
5. Nave South Wall Left 6. Nave South Wall Center 7. Nave South Wall Right
Note: Due to the height of these windows above the floor, a few inches of the bottom of these window is not shown.
A unique approach is again evidence in the smaller windows directly beneath the ceiling in the north and south walls. These were deliberately designed and executed totally in abstract, without any contrived meaning or purpose other than to challenge the viewer’s imagination and religious perception with form and color. The thoughtful spectator is invited to read in these fascinating compositions whatever meaning may come to mind at the moment. Or they may remain uninterpreted, ecclesiastical fireworks raise to the glory of God.
.
North wall over the transcept, beginning from the left (northwest):
1. North Transcept Left 2. North Transcept Right
South wall over the transcept beginning from the left (southeast):
3. South Transcept Left 4. South Transcept Right
South wall of the nave, continued in-line with the south transcept windows, from the left (southeast):
5. Nave South Wall Left 6. Nave South Wall Center 7. Nave South Wall Right
Note: Due to the height of these windows above the floor, a few inches of the bottom of these window is not shown.
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In cut, etched and chased clear glass, with gold leaf ornamentation, the transom above the outside entrance (West Capitol Drive, center of building) identifies the chapel as a place of prayer and meditation and invites participation.
The three chapel windows represent the means of grace, beginning at the east with the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The waters of life and showers of grace are much in evidence. The center window is entitled “The Centrality of the Word.” A pause at this place reveals a growing perception of the significance of the written word as it proclaims the Word made flesh and dwelling among us, born of Mary yet Son of God, Redeemer, Light, and Life of the World. The Holy Eucharist is symbolized in the remaining window in a remarkable expression of the freshness and boldness of the artist. The Christ is clearly apparent in the giving hands and the sacred host and the blessed chalice. There is a fish on each plate, at once the symbol of the Christ and the nurture He provides.
In cut, etched and chased clear glass, with gold leaf ornamentation, the transom above the outside entrance (West Capitol Drive, center of building) identifies the chapel as a place of prayer and meditation and invites participation.
The three chapel windows represent the means of grace, beginning at the east with the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. The waters of life and showers of grace are much in evidence. The center window is entitled “The Centrality of the Word.” A pause at this place reveals a growing perception of the significance of the written word as it proclaims the Word made flesh and dwelling among us, born of Mary yet Son of God, Redeemer, Light, and Life of the World. The Holy Eucharist is symbolized in the remaining window in a remarkable expression of the freshness and boldness of the artist. The Christ is clearly apparent in the giving hands and the sacred host and the blessed chalice. There is a fish on each plate, at once the symbol of the Christ and the nurture He provides.
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| Stained Glass Windows Documents
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