Mission Statement...We are a Catholic family,
living our awareness of Christ’s presence through worship, service, evangelization and community
for the benefit of all.
History of St. Thomas
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St. Matthew
The first of the four entrance windows. The author of the four Gospels are symbolically represented above four of the entrances which lead into the church: St. Matthew as a winged human figure. The symbolization of the evangelists by 4 winged creature’s is derived from the vision of Ezechiel and the Apocalypse. In Matthew’s window the human figure, narrates the geneology and birth of Jesus Christ. The different phases in the life of Christ are represented in the windows.
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St. Mark
The second of the four entrance windows. The author of the four Gospels are symbolically represented above four of the entrances which lead into the church: St. Mark the lion, begins dramatically with the VOX CLAMANTIS IN DESERTO (the voice of one crying out). The different phases in the life of Christ are represented in the windows.
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St. John
The third of our four entrance windows. The author of the four Gospels are symbolically represented above four of the entrances which lead into the church:
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St. Luke
The fourth of our four entrance windows. The author of the four Gospels are symbolically represented above four of the entrances which lead into the church: St. Luke, the calf, describes the sacrifice of Zachary. The different phases in the life of Christ are represented in the window, St. Luke; the calf of Luke for the sacrificial death on the cross.
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The Sanctuary Window
Upon entering the Church and when seated in full view of the altar, we become aware of the beautiful Faceted Dalle Glass Window in the Sanctuary and the devotional feeling it reflects. From this central peak radiating outward are beautiful colors of glass in many sizes and shapes. Here is symbolically represented the heavenly presence of the Holy Spirit. As we follow the flow of colors downward, we see the white Chi-Rho or the ancient monogram of Jesus Christ. The Chi-Rho is shown in white to represent the purity of mind and spirit of Our Lord and also His Resurrection. The red shield upon which the Chi-Rho is placed, reminds us of the great sacrifice He made for all humankind. The continuity of the design is also seen for a while after sunset hours so that the devotional feeling is maintained even during late afternoon or early evening services, especially during the summer months. The Sanctuary window has two distances from which it should be viewed. The impression received when standing in view of the altar is explained above. When viewing the window up close in the chapel, the dark triptych area reveals itself to be more than a mass of beautiful dark colors in various tints and hues. The general theme of bread and wine is symbolically depicted in this are of the faceted glass by clusters of grapes upon a vine and stalks of wheat, idealized in its forms by simplified design.
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The Baptistry Window
The large faceted glass window at the North end of the Church is best viewed from the altar area. This window is a back ground for the baptismal font and accordingly the theme of the window is related to the sacrament of Baptism. At the central and upper part of the window, we see a descending white dove surrounded by a burst of yellow chunks of faceted glass. At first glance during normal sunlit hours, the darker central area of the large window appears as a “triptych placed upon a lighter and gray background. The design of the Baptistry window has a quality of being completely spontaneous. The symbolism is an integral part of the entire window and conveys a “life-enhancing” feeling to the viewer. The idea expressed is a cross rising out of a pool of water. The many tints and hues of dark blue remind us of the infinite span of the heavens eternity. The various shapes of fish in colors of purple and violet are seen rising out of the water up to the symbolic dove. This portrays the generations of humankind who became Christians through Baptism and accepted Our Redeemer. A Swirling line of white glass surrounds the cross and the dove. It is attached to an anchor of “Hope” at the lower left hand side of the window. Here is the anticipation of the promise of redemption through Baptism. In the background of grays above the “Anchor of Hope”, a key and an angelic form can be discerned. On the grey background of the opposite right hand side a skeleton of a fish is recognized. The three somewhat hidden forms evoke the reason for Baptism. It is a key to heaven after purposeful life on earth ceases to exist.
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