Table of Contents
- Sanctuary – Fruit of the Holy Spirit stained-glass windows
- Parlor – Old Testament stained-glass windows
- Melvin Avenue Stairwell – Front Door & Stairwell stained-glass windows
- Elevator Tower Stairwell – Franz Xavier Zettler stained-glass windows
Sanctuary – Fruit of the Holy Spirit
The year was 2000 and Catonsville United Methodist Church had a unique opportunity to create an everlasting message for posterity. The Sanctuary was transformed with the installation of stained-glass windows throughout the Altar, the Sanctuary side windows, and the Parlor windows. The collection of stained-glass windows was created by Epiphany Studios (Higgins & Associates) of Middletown, Virginia, in partnership with the members of the congregation, reflecting the faith and vision of the church community.
From the mouth of a young child came a most relevant theme for this collection – “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” – which are virtues that God wants manifested in our lives.
- Self-Control – The ability to govern one’s thoughts, words, and actions according to God’s will.
- Love – Self-giving care and concern for God and others.
- Joy – Deep gladness rooted in God’s grace, not merely happiness based on circumstances.
- Peace – Inner tranquility and right relationships with God and others.
- Patience – Endurance and forbearance when facing difficulties or dealing with people.
- Kindness & Goodness – Compassionate and generous treatment of others, and moral integrity expressed through righteous actions.
- Faithfulness – Loyalty, trustworthiness, and steadfast commitment.
- Gentleness – Humility and strength exercised with tenderness.
The “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” passage is found in Galatians 5: 16-25.
Walk by the Spirit
For if you are led by the desires of the flesh,
You shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The Fruit of the Spirit is
Love, Joy, Peace, Patience,
Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Gentleness and Self Control.
Live by the Spirit.
The centerpiece of the Sanctuary is the stained-glass window above the Altar, representing the Ascension of Christ. This beautiful window depicts the risen Lord ascending into Heaven, symbolizing His victory over sin and death, His return to the Father, and His continuing presence with His followers through the Holy Spirit. As the focal point of the Sanctuary, it invites worshipers to lift their hearts toward God and to live as witnesses to Christ’s love and grace in the world.
The Ascension of Christ
This window depicts the Ascension of Christ. The individuals around Jesus are the crowd of witnesses – men, women, and children – representing our congregation, as well as those who witnessed Jesus when He was on the earth.
Dedication: Given by the Congregation of the Catonsville United Methodist Church
Location: Sanctuary, above the Altar
The stained-glass windows representing the “Fruit of the Holy Spirit” are located along the side walls of the Sanctuary. Together, these windows serve as a visual reminder of the character and virtues that the Holy Spirit cultivates in the lives of believers.
Love
The Prodigal Son
Love is patient and kind;
Love is not jealous or boastful;
It is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way;
It is not irritable or resentful;
It does not rejoice at wrong,
It rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things,
Hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4
Dedication: Given by Marjorie Witzke in loving memory of her husband, Leroy M. Witzke
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 1:00 location
Joy
The Birth of Jesus
And the angel said to them
“Be not afraid, for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy,
Which will come to all the people;
And suddenly there was with the angel
A multitude of the heavenly host
Praising God saying, “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among all.”
Luke 2:10
Dedication: Given by Ron and Anne Kaufman and their family
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 2:00 location
Peace
The Good Shepherd
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you.”
John 14:27
Dedication: Given in loving memory of Harry and Georgianna Hobbs and their children by their grandchildren
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 3:00 location
Patience
The Sower of Seeds
The seed is the word of God,
As for those in the good soil,
They are those who hearing the word,
Hold it fast in an honest and good heart,
And bring forth fruit with patience.
Luke 9:15
Dedication: Given in loving memory of Gus and Frances Stewart by Chuck and Judy Gehrman
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 4:00 location
Kindness & Goodness
Good Samaritan
To inherit eternal life,
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
And with all your soul, and with all your strength,
And with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
Do this, and you will live.
Luke 10:25-37
Dedication: Dedicated to the lives of Hilda and A.D. Anderson for their generous gifts and service to this church
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 8:00 location
Faithfulness
Mary and Martha
Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
But Martha was distracted with much serving.
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.
One thing is needful; Mary has chosen the good portion.
Which shall not be taken away from her.
Luke 10:38-41
Dedication: Given in loving memory of Carl and Mary Schletzer
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 9:00 location
Gentleness
Jesus Washing the Feet of the Disciples
If I then, your Lord and teacher,
Have washed your feet,
You also ought to wash one another’s feet.
You should do as I have done to you.
If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them
John 13:1-17
Dedication: Presented in loving memory of Walter H. Garrett by his beloved wife, Elizabeth, and sons, Howard and Donald
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 10:00 location
Self-Control
Waiting for the Return of Jesus
And I say unto all,
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation;
The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 13:34-37
Dedication: Dedicated to the life of Carroll O. Weston, Jr. by his beloved wife Margaretta
Location: Sanctuary, clockwise from lectern at 11:00 location
Parlor – Old Testament Windows
The stained-glass windows located around the Parlor and the Office level of the church depict significant people, events, and themes of the Old Testament. These windows tell the story of God’s relationship with His people and highlight examples of faith, obedience, courage, and God’s enduring covenant.
As worshipers and visitors move through these areas of the church, the windows provide visual reminders of the foundations of the Christian faith, illustrating stories that point to God’s presence and guidance throughout history.
Together, the Old Testament windows complement the Sanctuary’s windows depicting the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, connecting the story of God’s work in the Old Testament with the spiritual life and discipleship of Christians today.
Creation
Train up a child in the way he should go;
And when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Dedication: Dedicated to all God’s children by Brian Hayman
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Abraham Willing to Sacrifice Isaac
For I know that you fear God.
Genesis 22:11
Dedication: Dedicated to the Deborah Circle of CUMC by Elnora and Kenneth Wease
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Jacob’s Dream
Behold I am with you and will keep you
Wherever you go.
Genesis 28:11-15
Dedication: In memory of Lola P. Silvestri from Donna and Sean Davis and Neysa and Mark Silvestri
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Joseph and His Brothers
I am your brother and I will provide for you.
Genesis 45:4-11
Dedication: To the Glory of God by Donna and James Linksz
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Moses and the Burning Bush
I will be with you and help you.
Listen to my voice and obey it.
Exodus 3:1-12
Dedication: Presented to CUMC by Amelia and Raymond Servary
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Ruth and Naomi
For where you go I will go
Your people shall be my people,
And your God my God.
Ruth 1:16
Dedication: In loving memory of John D. and Kathryn B. Henkel by Debbie, Dick, and Glenda Henkel and Barbara and Bob Money
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Heavenly Instruments
Make a joyful noise to the Lord!
Psalm 98
Dedication: Given in memory of Kathryn and Lamar Strevig by Jan Strevig
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Choir
O come, let us sing unto the Lord!
Psalm 95
Dedication: In honor of James D. Blackwell, Choir Director and Organist 1965-2001, by the Senior Choir and friends
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
David Playing for King Saul
Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre!
Psalm 108
Dedication: Given by William J. and Jane C. Sneeringer
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
Angel with Sword
Deliver me from my enemies
O my God.
Psalm 59:1
Dedication: Dedicated to the Armed Forces in memory of LTC William E. Wright, Jr RET by his family
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
The Good Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
Psalm 23:1
Dedication: Given in loving memory of Howard Robertson by his wife Til Robertson
Location: Sanctuary level, Parlor
King of Glory
The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness therein.
Psalm 24:1
Dedication: Dedicated to our children and grandchildren from Madeline and John Eckstein
Location: Office level, Library
Teach Me Thy Paths
Make me know Thy ways O Lord
Teach me Thy paths.
Psalm 25:1
Dedication: Given in loving memory of our parents from Madeline and John Eckstein
Location: Office level, Library
Melvin Avenue Stairwell
The Melvin Avenue doors feature the Cross & Flame, which is a symbol of the United Methodist Church. The cross represents Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. The flame represents the Holy Spirit, recalling the Day of Pentecost when disciples received the Spirit and saw “tongues, as of fire” (Acts 2:3). The two tongues of the flame joined as one to symbolize the 1968 union of two denominations – the Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren Church – that formed the United Methodist Church. Together, the Cross and Flame proclaim that United Methodists are rooted in Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit for ministry in the world.
Left Door – Catonsville United Methodist Women
Right Door – Catonsville United Methodist Men
Garden of Eden
And God saw everything that He had made, and behold
It was very good.
Genesis 1:31
Dedication: In memory of the parents of Richard Curtis Hine and Joan Lynn Sprecher Hine
Location: Melvin Avenue stairwell, Office level
Noah’s Ark
Go forth from the ark…
Bring forth with thee every living thing.
Genesis 8:16-17
Dedication: Given in memory and honor of Roland and Kathleen Bowman by the family
Location: Melvin Avenue stairwell, Sanctuary level
Elevator Tower – Stained-Glass Windows by Franz Xavier Zettler
Circa 2005, Catonsville United Methodist Church purchased several large stained-glass windows at auction. The windows were designed by the Franz Xavier Zettler studio, which was appointed as the “Royal Bavarian Art Institute for Stained Glass” by King Ludwig I in 1882.
Zettler and his Royal Bavarian Art Institute became known for the quality of their design, clearness of glass in spite of rich use of colors, and their conscious employment of the medium to realize harmonious decorative effects. The firm also gained a reputation for technological innovations and familiarity with Christian iconography. This allowed them to dominate the market in producing windows for Catholic churches. Their works can be found throughout Europe and also the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, and New Zealand
Zettler studios perfected what became known as the “Munich Style.” In this method, the religious scenes were painted on larger sheets of glass, and then fused to the glass through firing in intense heat. This allowed for a blending of colors not attainable by the old medieval style, in which any change of color in a scene required a separate piece of colored glass, which had to be cut to size and fitted in its own leaded framework. In the windows of the Munich school, the leaded seams did not interrupt or intrude upon the scene portrayed, but were camouflaged by the design in a way that made them hardly noticeable.
At the bottom of most of the windows are the donor’s names and the names of the Royal Bavarian Art Institute for Stained Glass and F. X. Zettler – the master of the Munich Style – which can be seen on one of our windows. “Professor Franz” as Zettler was known to students and admirers, died in 1916 at the age of 75. There has been of late a renewed interest in and appreciation for the work of this great craftsman.
The windows that are in the Elevator Tower came from a Roman Catholic Church in Baltimore City. They were designed and built between 1890 and 1910, and were in that church for 70 to 80 years. When the church was torn down, the windows were stored in a barn for 20 years. The barn was later remodeled and the windows were sold at auction. Pastor Mark Waddell discovered the windows and was given the authority by an emergency meeting of the Administrative Board to bid on them. We were fortunate to get them. These were very large windows and each window was stored in several pieces.
The stained-glass window at the door in Asbury Hall is the one window we have that has the Zettler name. In the lower right-hand corner, you can see F. X. Zettler, Munich.
Dedication: Presented in honor of Delaney Bellis and Mikayla Call and all of God’s children by Gloria and George Powell.
Location: Asbury Hall, 1st floor lobby
Combination of Windows
Starting at the balcony level of the Elevator Tower, this window is a combination of several pieces of two windows. The top two sections are from the window that is the Annunciation to Mary. The bottom section is from the Garden of Gethsemane window.
Dedication: Undedicated
Location: Elevator Tower, Balcony level
Annunciation to Mary
The stained-glass window depicting the Annunciation to Mary portrays the moment when the angel Gabriel announced that Mary had been chosen by God to bear Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world (Luke 1:26–38). This scene symbolizes God’s grace, Mary’s faith and obedience, and the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation.
Dedication: Undedicated
Location: Elevator Tower, stairwell landing between Balcony and Sanctuary levels
Jesus Blessing the Children
The stained-glass window depicting Jesus blessing the children illustrates the moment in the Gospels when people brought young children to Jesus, and He welcomed them with love and tenderness, saying, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14). This scene highlights Christ’s compassion, His openness to all people regardless of age or status, and the value He places on childlike trust and faith. The window serves as a reminder that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who approach Him with humility, openness, and trust.
Dedication: Given in memory of Carroll and Gladys Henkel from their loving family and friends.
Location: Elevator Tower, Sanctuary level
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
The stained-glass window depicting Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane portrays the moment of deep prayer and struggle before His arrest, when Jesus withdrew to the garden to pray, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This scene reflects His anguish as He faced the coming suffering of the cross, while also revealing His trust and obedience to the Father. The window invites worshippers to consider themes of surrender, perseverance in prayer, and faithfulness in times of trial, even when the path ahead is difficult.
Dedication: Presented by Bob and Donna Carroll in memory of their parents
Location: Elevator Tower, stairwell landing between Sanctuary and Office levels
The Nativity of Jesus
The stained-glass window depicting the Nativity of Jesus shows the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, when God entered the world in humble circumstances (Luke 2:1–20). Surrounded by Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, the Christ child is shown as the long-awaited Savior, bringing light, peace, and hope to all people. This scene emphasizes God’s love made visible in human form and the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption. The window invites worshippers to celebrate the miracle of the Incarnation and to welcome Christ into their hearts and lives with joy and reverence.
Dedication: Presented in memory of Til and Howard Robertson by their daughter, Gwen Waters, and family
Location: Elevator Tower, Office level
Jesus In the Red Robe
The stained-glass window depicting Jesus in a red robe portrays Christ in His majesty and sacrificial love, often associated with His Passion and His role as the risen Lord. The red garment symbolizes both His suffering—especially the shedding of His blood on the cross—and His kingship and victory over sin and death. This image invites worshippers to reflect on the depth of Christ’s love, shown through His willingness to suffer for the salvation of the world, and to recognize Him as both Savior and King, worthy of devotion and praise.
Dedication: Presented in loving memory of Jean and Malcom Vinzant and Edward Vinzant and in honor of Graham Vinzant, by their family
Location: Elevator Tower, stairwell landing between Office and Ground Floor levels
“Catonsville United Methodist Church in Ministry since 1855”
Dedication: Presented by Joan and Vic McFarland
Location: Elevator Tower, Ground Floor lobby
Proverbs 22:6
Teach your children in the way they should go.
Dedication: Presented in memory of Russell Behrens by his wife, Gwen, and children, Paul and Roberta
Location: Elevator Tower, stairwell landing between Ground Floor and Social Hall levels
I Corinthians 1:9
You were called into fellowship.
Dedication: Undedicated
Location: Elevator Tower, Social Hall level