Cowardly Lion and the Grinch

Detail from a window on the west side of the lounge of the Scottish Rite Cathedral

These pictures were taken in the lounge of the Scottish Rite Cathedral of Indianapolis. The first and second images are details of windows designed and installed in 1975 by the Willet Stained Glass Studio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I refer to them as the "Cowardly Lion" and the "Grinch" because I think they closely resemble those characters.

Detail from window on west side of lounge.

Located in downtown Indianapolis, the Scottish Rite Cathedral was designed by architect George F. Schreiber in the Neo-Gothic style. Built in 1927-1929, its proportions are divisible by three, representing the three degrees of Free Masonry. It is the largest Masonic building in the United States.

One of the eight windows on the east side
of the Cathedral lounge, representing
mechanical and civil engineering

The stained glass windows on the east side of the lounge are dedicated to the arts and sciences: engineering, electricity, sculpture, architecture, art, music, law and medicine. They were created by the Von Gerichten Glass Company of Munich, Germany, where they were made and Columbus, Ohio where they were assembled, then installed in 1929.
   

Stained glass window depicting the artist
and his model in his studio

The Von Gerichten Art Glass Studio was established in 1891 at Cullman, Alabama by Ludwig Von Gerichten, who had immigrated from Germany to the United States. In 1893, joined by his brother Theodore, they moved the business to Columbus, Ohio where it was called Capitol City Glass Company. As the business's reputation grew, the brothers again changed its name in 1898 to The Von Gerichten Art Glass Company.

From the time the brothers opened their business until it was was closed in the late 1930's, the company created over 1800 windows for approximately 850 churches in the United States. In 1914, they opened a studio in Munich where Ludwig spent much of his time, while Theodore remained in Columbus. Unfortunately, a lot of the company's clients felt that German craftsmanship was superior to American work. Since all the work was done by German artisans, there was no foundation to this prejudice. The result was that work was often done in Germany at added expense, then brought to the US for assembly and installation. Such was the case with the Scottish Rite windows.

From time to time, I meet a group of friends for lunch at the Cathedral, which is why I had the opportunity to take these pictures. I will return in the near future to add to this little portfolio of beautiful color and craftsmanship, which I promise to share.