Triptych St. Francis Xavier Church, Nairobi

This project involved creating a series of three stained glass windows located high on the west wall of the church. After several discussions with those involved with the Church, themes for the three windows were agreed upon. Due to the elongated forms of the windows and the distance between them, achieving a unified theme was challenging. Therefore, we decided on three distinct themes that follow on from the crucifixion, which is depicted in one of the windows in the sanctuary of the church.

The Triptych Design

This design is based on the themes of the Resurrection, the Ascension, and Pentecost. The central panel depicts the Resurrection, with the symbol of the Holy Spirit, represented by a descending dove, casting its influence over all three panels. The side panels portray the Ascension and Pentecost, arranged for visual and compositional balance rather than chronological order.

Resurrection (Central Panel)

Christ is depicted rising from the tomb, wrapped in a white robe, with a radiant halo around his head. The tomb is crafted in gray and brown glass, surrounded by green plants, suggesting a garden setting. Above, a dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit descends, encircled by rays of light in blue and white glass. Surrounding Christ are figures in robes of blue, green, and white—likely angels or disciples—gazing upward in awe. The panel features symbols such as the palm tree, representing supreme victory over death, and the pomegranate, a symbol of resurrection. Violets, symbolizing humility, are also present. At the base, a diamond-shaped panel contains a pomegranate design in green and yellow glass, consistent with the original windows at the opposite end of the church.

Matthew 28:6

“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Mark 16:2

“And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.”

Mark 16:3

“And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?”

Mark 16:4

“And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.”

The Ascension

At the top of the panel, a radiant sunburst in yellow and orange glass symbolizes divine light or heaven. Below, Christ is depicted ascending, partially visible as he rises into the heavens. A group of apostles in blue, green, and white robes stands on the Mount of Olives, looking upward in wonder. An olive tree signifies the location, and the palm symbol is present. The scene includes a green landscape with plants and a checkered floor in red and white, adding depth. At the base, a diamond-shaped panel features olive branches, rendered in green and yellow glass.

Acts 1:8

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Acts 1:9

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.”

Acts 1:10

“And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;”

Acts 1:11

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

Pentecost

The apostles are depicted gathered in a large room, where the Holy Spirit descends upon them, marking the day of Pentecost. The panel likely includes cloven tongues of fire in vibrant colors, symbolizing the Holy Spirit’s presence, as the apostles receive the gift of tongues. The background features a white-robed figure with a red sash against a red and blue sky, possibly Christ or a divine figure, with a green and blue landscape below, suggesting a natural setting. At the base, a diamond-shaped panel displays a floral design with white flowers against a blue background, framed by yellow and green glass.

Acts 2:1

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”

Acts 2:2

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”

Acts 2:3

“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”

Acts 2:4

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Technical Details

It was essential that the new windows were crafted using the same method as the three existing windows behind the altar, made in the early 1900s. These original windows were produced traditionally: cutting colored glass into required shapes, painting line work and shading, firing the paint for permanence, and leading the pieces together to form panels.

For this project, we created our own glass sheets to achieve unique gradations of color and tone, using Bullseye glass. Glass frit (crushed glass) was spread over clear glass sheets and fused at 700°C, producing custom glass with distinctive qualities. These sheets were cut into colored pieces for the design, then painted and fired following traditional techniques.

The only additional color in the traditional method is silver stain, used since the 14th century. Applied to the back of the glass and fired, it turns the glass yellow, ranging from pale straw to bright yellow or amber, depending on application and temperature. These windows were completed and installed in 2019.

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