Exploring the Mystery Behind Church Stained Glass Windows

Some historians believe that the tradition of making stained glass goes back as far early Egyptian times. Colored beads of glass were used to create necklaces, bracelets, and other forms of jewelry.This form of art then evolved into the stained glass windows that we now see in churches throughout the world.

But how did early religious groups come across this idea of including stained glass into their churches? And what prompted so many churches around the world to continue the trend? The answer may be simpler than you think.

 

 

 
The story of church stained glass truly begins with the emergence of Gothic style architecture. Prior to Gothic architecture, the Romanesque style was widely popular. Churches built in this fashion had small rooms separated by thick walls. But one daring architect decided to eliminate the interior walls while working on the the royal abbey of St. Denis. The effect was a more unified and inclusive space.

This idea was expanded on by the inclusion of stained glass windows. Stained glass filters light in a way to make it softer without making the interior of a space seem dark or dimly lit. And by using stained glass in the abbey, the open feeling of the church would be preserved.

In addition, the stained glass also served an educational purpose for the members of the church. Back when many historic churches in Europe were built, a significant portion of the world’s population was unable to read. By painting the stained glass with religious scenes, the church could provide a way for those who were illiterate to understand the stories of the bible.

But perhaps the most important purpose of the stained glass was their beauty and symbolism. The intricately crafted windows filled the church with an array of prismatic light and color. Their grandness and immensity made them appear as “windows to the heavens.” And the beauty they brought to the church was symbolic of the glory of God.

Now stained glass is continually used in religious buildings around the world for these purposes and as a way of honoring a longstanding tradition.