CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 25 T he ancient art of stained glass is an act of faith in itself. roughout the process, the artist must believe that the smaller individual shards eventually, painstakingly, will come together to form a beautiful interplay between light and color. at the result will be a magnificent and steadfast creation that will stand the test of time. And for those who take on the task of craing the stained-glass windows that will stand sentry in churches, chapels and ministry centers, the purpose is even greater. e windows pictured on these pages depict the life of Jesus Christ, and the saints and soldiers who helped fulfill his mission on earth. "You can feel his presence," said Allene Horne, administrative assistant at First Baptist Church on Anderson Street, "and it's because of these windows." Much of the past year has been filled with pain and darkness. Yet through it all, the light of faith has shown brightly through in the courage of frontline workers, in the kindness and compassion of others and in the hope that endures. No matter your source of faith, we hope you will enjoy the colorful, illuminating beauty that shines through on these pages. It was Helen Keller, unable to see or hear, who said: "Faith is the strength by which the shattered world shall emerge into the light." Let there be light. Above, "The Good Shepherd" is one of 79 windows inside First Baptist Church on Anderson Street in downtown Fayetteville. Another favorite is the large oval "The Ascension" at the back of the church. "One man came in here ever y Sunday," said Allene Horne, the church's longtime administrative assistant. "He said, 'That's Jesus welcoming me.'" On the opposite page, rays of morning sunlight are reflected in a stained-glass window inside Fort Bragg's Main Post Chapel . The chapel was built in 1934, and the windows were added in 1945. The style is known as authentic medieval .

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