The St. Mark Window, Loomis, CA

 A Brief Overview of the St. Mark Window

Theme: Patron Saint of Saint Mark’s Anglican Church, Loomis, CA

Context: above the altar in meditation chapel

Purpose: to represent the meaning of St. Mark’s mission to their particular parish–drawing on local flora (California Poppy), regional produce (tangerines and eggplants) and local gathering places (the Blue Goose) 

Style: Arts and Crafts/ Gothic which was nurtured  by the Anglican “slum priests” to restore meaningful hand-crafted work in the midst of the dehumanizing Industrial Revolution.

Symbolism: Overall, this window represents the Way of Courageous Witness in St. Mark’s Gospel–from the opening roar in the Wilderness, Prepare the Way of the LORD to the Great Commission, Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.  

St. Mark, young, bearded, quill in hand is attentive to hear and ready to proclaim–his feet like those who bring Good News.  

The Lion is the traditional symbol for St. Mark’s Gospel, the ship image in the background recollects that this is a fisherman’s tale where the LORD is making a way in the sea.  

Two vignettes capture important moments in St. Mark’s gospel–the Calling of Peter, Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men,  and the Parable of the Sower calling us to receive God’s Word.  

The Book cover St. Mark holds is a cross with the pattern of twelve. baskets of bread, reminding us to hold tight the lesson of the loaves.