"I am the Light of the World"

"Among the greatest glories of Gothic churches are their stained and painted windows, rich in religious significance and superlatively decorative in effect."

The resurrection is the theme of the World War II memorial window in the Tower, remembering that “no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)

In the central lancet, there is depicted the Resurrection of Our Lord. The side center lancets tell of the significance of the beginning and end of Jesus' ministry on earth. The side lancets are devoted to the great cloud of witnesses who surrounded our Savior. The left-hand lancet depicts Old Testament characters, looking forward to the coming of the Messiah: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel and the Lion, Elijah and Isaiah. In the right-hand lancet are John the Baptist, Mary the mother of Jesus, and the Apostles Peter and Paul. Later personages are Saint Augustine, Martin Luther and John Calvin.

In the traceries above the side lancets are the symbols and insignia of the various branches of the armed forces that were represented among the service men and women of Overbrook Presbyterian Church.

The four-panel predella below the main window, which is located underneath the balcony, indicates the virtues of the Christian soldier. The upper sections show biblical scenes and the lower sections their counterparts in modern life.

These windows, which let God's light in and let out to the world something of the light and life and warmth within, were designed, executed and installed by the Willett Stained Glass Company of Philadelphia. The five-panel window was dedicated November 14, 1948.

The two-lancet aisle window on the south is in memory of Dr. George Emerson Barnes and was created in full rich sparkling color. The subjects had significance in the life of Dr. Barnes, who served Overbrook Church from 1922 until 1948. The left lancet shows Christ preaching the Sermon on the Mount. The right lancet depicts Christ blessing the children. The tracery opening contains the Seal of the Ecumenical Church. Dr. Barnes was a pioneer leader of the ecumenical movement and a delegate to the meeting in Amsterdam that formed the World Council of Churches, August 23, 1948.

The George Emerson Barnes memorial window was designed, executed and installed by the Willett Stained Glass Company. It was dedicated March 27, 1955.

Beside the George Emerson Barnes window is another window executed by the D'Ascenzo Studio of Philadelphia in 1925 in memory of Florence Brooks.

On the west transept is a window designed and installed by the D'Ascenzo Studio of Philadelphia in 1908. This beautiful window depicting Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane was given in memory of Albert Barnes, a noted Presbyterian minister of Philadelphia.

The remainder of the sanctuary windows are opalescent glass with lead that were original to the church, and common to the time they were installed.