Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Denton, TX

Architects:
Paul and Sandra Dennehy,
Dennehy Architects, Fort Worth, TX

ALTAR WINDOW
12' w by 24' h

Furniture & Cross (with corpus from previous church):
Clay Foster, Denton, TX

German and French mouthblown glass, domestic rolled glasses, dichroic glass, lead and solder with a protective glazing of tempered glass on both sides.

This interior reredos window separates the Altar from the Eucharistic Chapel and quietly serves as backdrop for the Crucifix and the celebration of Mass. A range of clear transparent glasses symbolizing spiritual enlightenment become increasingly predominant as one’s gaze moves upward.  These transparent glasses permit glimpses to the high windows in the Nave's impressive cupola and, from the window’s opposite side, to the clerestory window in the chapel. As a shimmering veil separating Nave from Chapel, Altar from Tabernacle, this window symbolizes the everpresence of God as the Trinity.  Three colors of dichroic glass accents subtly descend downward in a sparkling spiral around the Corpus.  The Sanctuary Lamp is acknowledged by red and amber glass located near the suspended lamp creating a beacon visible from all parts of the Nave. A traditional Marian symbol, the crescent moon, can be discerned at the base of the window where a concentration of white glasses connote purity while providing visual separation between the Nave and Chapel.

View from Chapel

View from Nave

Upper Detail

Middle Detail

Upper Detail

Middle Detail

Lower Detail

Dedication Ceremony
Photo: Hiroyuki Komae ©2004