Our Parish Art

When the church underwent renovation in 1958, Immaculate Conception contracted the Conrad Schmidt Studios to design and install the ecclesiastical art you see throughout the church.

The large mosaic of the Jesse Tree, the newer stained glass windows, and the Stations of the Cross were designed by liturgical artist, Felix Senger.

Some of the oldest surviving pieces in the church are the Christ the King window on the west side and the mosaics in the inner vestibule (main entrance); one of the mosaics even dates back to the original church.

The other mosaics that you see at the two side altars came from the communion rail that was installed in the 1958 restoration. They were also designed by Felix Senger and Conrad Schmidt Studios. Great effort was used to preserve these pieces when the communion rail was removed in the 1989 restoration. The marble from that rail was preserved and used as baseboards for the pulpit (podium).

The two beautiful wood carvings of Mary and the Christ Child and of Saint Joseph (at the side altars were) imported from Oberamergau, Germany.

Jesse Tree Mosaic               

All Revelation is centered around  Christ. In the Old Testament, we hear of God leading and protecting His people. In the New Testament, we hear about Jesus fulfilling all of the Old Testament prophesies and covenants. It is fitting that St. Matthew began the first book of the New Testament  with the genealogy of our Savior, thus linking the Old and the New. It was with this passage in mind that our mosaic was designed. The mosaic presents the full picture of Christ, the Hope of all. The green tree with its numerous branches and leaves spreads its foliage over the  vast gold background, symbolizing the supernatural world in which these chosen figures were placed.

At the roots of the tree, we find ADAM and EVE, our first parents. They were the first to receive the promise of a Savior. After Cain killed Abel and was banished, Eve gave birth to SETH. ENOS, Seth’s firstborn son was god-fearing and offered public worship to God. NOE (Noah) was guided by the Lord, saved from the flood, and given the command to settle the earth.

ABRAHAM, the chosen one, was told that in him all nations would be blessed, and he would be the father of a great nation. ISAAK (Isaac) was the child promised to Abraham and Sara in their old age. The strong faith of Abraham is exercised as Isaac kneels at his feet about to be offered in sacrifice. The angel sent to stay Abraham’s hand is also pictured. On the opposite side Isaac’s son JACOB, whose name is changed to ISRAEL, dreams and views the ladder reaching to heaven where God appears and promised him the land on which he rests.

To the left branching out is JESSE, the father of DAVID, the great prophet-king. It was David who ruled over a united Israel for the first and very nearly the last time in its history. To David it was promised “Thy throne shall remain forever unshaken.”

In the year 538 B.C., the Jewish nation returned from 40 years exile in Babylon. ZOROBABEL, the Prince-Governor supervised the rebuilding of the temple destroyed 40 years before. God repeats to Zorobabel the promise He made to David: “I will raise up your seed after you and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” The desired of nations would descend from the line of Zorobabel.

Next to him stands JOACHIM, the father of MARY. Mary is the Virgin who conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit, and with her the branch comes to an end.

Of Jacob’s twelve sons, JUDA (Judah) is represented at the center of the tree., because in direct descent of his tribe a child will be born as the Lord said, “the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until He comes to whom it belongs.”

On the right the branches lead to BOOZ (Boaz), the just man who married Ruth, the gentile woman, foreshadowing the calling of all the nations. Boaz begot Obed, the father of Jesse.

SOLOMON, the king-son of David whose wisdom was famous throughout the world. Solomon built the first magnificent temple, of which Christ would be the cornerstone until the end of time, even after the temple was destroyed.

ELEAZOR (Eleazar) is the grandfather of JACOB, who fathered JOSEPH the carpenter from Nazareth in whom God put the trust of caring for His Son. Here again the branches come to an end.

The precious fruit of the tree stands in the center, towering in size and strength. His hands are lifted in a motion of preaching and blessing. He is the SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST. Thus the mosaic presents the great heritage which is ours as members of Christ’s body, the Church.

Our Windows (starting at back left going clockwise)

THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST—Mary holds the King of the Universe in her arms, though He appears as just a normal newborn child.

CHRIST THE KING—This is said to be the only stained glass window in the church when it was built in 1907. The remaining windows were just plain frosted glass until the renovation in 1958.

 THE VISITATION—Marry carries her Son on His first mission journey to Elizabeth where John (in utero) acknowledged the presence of God enfleshed.

THE ANNUNCIATION—The angel announces to Mary that she is to be the Mother of the long awaited Messiah, who would come to save His people.

THE FINDING OF JESUS IN THE TEMPLE— Mary and Joseph searched for three days before finding him in His Father’s house, teaching the teachers.

THE PRESENTATION—Mary takes Jesus to the temple to offer Him to God. This mystery was a foretelling of the offering Jesus would make of Himself upon the cross.

MARY, THE NEW EVE—Mary is the mother of all creation, and her ‘yes’ restores the order that was broken through Eve and Adam’s disobedience.