"CHRIST, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD"
Stained Glass Window Roger Darricarrere, artist

History of the Window

Window size:   42'x 10 1/2'
14,000 pieces of glass
One ton of lead
Took one year to make — After six months' study of the Bible
First appeared at the 1963-65 World's Fair in New York
Shipped in sections from New York to California and placed in our Sanctuary in 1966

       More than 14,000 pieces of glass make up the glorious stained glass window that dominates one entire wall of the chapel of St. Stephen's. Entitled "Christ, The Light of the World," its abstract displays of shapes and magnificent colors tell the story of the Creation, the Flood, the coming of Jesus, His crucifixion and many other events relating how God came to earth in Jesus Christ to save Man and dispel the darkness of sin. Here's how the window came to be at St. Stephen's:

       In 1963, the Stained Glass Association of America sponsored a contest among artists for the design of a work of art in glass, with the winning design to be built and displayed at the New York World's Fair in 1964 and 1965. Entries came from 175 artists and the winner was the design for this particular window, submitted by the world-renowned artist, Roger Darricarrere. However he needed a financial sponsor in order to build the window, transport it to New York and install it at the Fair. So he offered the window for sale at his cost of materials, with no charge for labor to whoever would finance the project.

       The architect of the new sanctuary at St. Stephen's, Robin Inslee, a friend of Darricarrere's, brought this to the attention of the church building committee which immediately agreed to finance the undertaking.

       Since then, Darricarrere and Fairbanks, Inc. has also designed the wedge-shaped windows along the sides of the sanctuary.