The stained glass and other art of
Luther Memorial Church

1021 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin

	The stained glass windows, original altar, and tapestries of Luther Memorial Church were designed by John Gaytee, one of America's foremost ecclesiastical artists when the church was built in 1921-23. A statue of Martin Luther and other art works have been acquired over the years. Stained glass The large stained glass window at the rear of the church contains three Trinity symbols, 24 full figures, and many small angels and other symbols. The Trinity symbols--a dove representing the Holy Spirit, a lamb representing Christ, and a globe representing God the Creator--are at the very top. The 12 disciples are in the top and third rows of figures. The second row has two groupings of three figures, with Christ as the center of each. The bottom row shows the four gospel writers, flanked by two archangels.
Here is a detail of the Archangel Michael, the lower left figure in the window, leader of the angels in a battle with the devil.		Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. --Revelation 12:7-9 (The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version)
	The window includes several small six-winged angelic creatures called seraphim. In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." --Isaiah 6:1-3 (The Holy Bible, RSV)
"Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said." --Matthew 28:5-6 (The Holy Bible, RSV)		Stained glass windows in the two transepts celebrate Jesus' resurrection and ascension. This is part of the resurrection window.

The entrance
	A bas-relief sculpture of Jesus with outstretched arms, in a garden of lilies, welcomes passers-by on University Avenue to come to Him and rest. Shields with alpha and omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, are on each side.

The chancel

A large statue of the beckoning Christ, echoing the one above the entrance, stands high above Luther Memorial Church's altar. The original altar, statue, and surrounding stonework were carved by Walter Sutton of the Bayview Stone Co. of Madison. The center panel, 16 feet wide and 35 feet high above the altar, weighs 26 tons. A new free-standing altar is a memorial to the Rev. J. Stephen Bremer, Luther Memorial's pastor from 1973 to 1990. The cherry wood table is trimmed in the same red granite as the baptismal font.

"...Come to me all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest..." --Matthew 11:28 (The Holy Bible, RSV)

	The altar cross, similar in design to the processional crucifix, has the monogram IHS, a Latin rendering of the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus.
And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals, for thou was slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on earth." --Revelation 5:8-18 (The Holy Bible, RSV)		The original altar is carved with a lamb carrying a banner proclaiming "Behold the Lamb of God" and resting on a book with seven seals.
	The tapestries
	John Gaytee painted six pairs of tapestries (for the Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, and Trinity seasons) to hang in the five-by-nine-foot arches on each side of the altar. The tapestries are rich in Christian symbolism. These are the central designs of the Pentecost tapestries, showing Christ being baptized and sharing the bread and wine of communion. Another page has pictures of Lenten tapestries.
	Luther statue
This bronze statue of Martin Luther, by Elmer P. Peterson, stands near the narthex and elevator in Luther Memorial Church. It is a memorial to Carl Obed Eid and an Elizabeth Eid, husband and daughter of Hulda Gilbertson Eid.

Luther Memorial Church

1021 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53715

...is open every day. You are welcome to come, rest, pray, and be inspired by the church's architecture, art, and symbolism.

This page is maintained by Bonnie Gruber. Photos by David Parminter, David Csont, and Bonnie Gruber.
Last modified May 17, 2005
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