Duncan United Church Stained Glass

United Church Crest window



This window commemorates the sixtieth anniversary of church union (1925-1985) and features the United Church crest surrounded by wildflowers - dogwood, trillium and lily.

The crest of the United Church of Canada is in the shape of an oval, representing the fish which was the symbol of identity for early Christians.

The X in the center is the first letter of the Greek word for "Christ" and divides the oval into four spaces which contain -
  • the Methodist symbol of the Dove, representing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
  • the Congregational Church's symbol of the open Bible, representing God's truth which will set us free.
  • the Presbyterian symbol of the burning bush that was not consumed, representing the indestructibility of the Church.
  • Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, representing eternal living God, in the fullness of creation.
The Latin words ut omnes unum sint mean "That all may be one", a reminder that we are a "united" and "uniting" church.  Although not visible on the stained glass window, since 1980, the crest now also contains the words "L'eglise unie du Canada", the French translation of "The United Church of Canada".

This is another of the three windows along this wall of the sanctuary, all created by the London firm of Goddard & Gibbs Studios Ltd.

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