Illuminations

The light of the sun beams down
seeming to magically illuminate
pictorial stories created with colored glass.


God of Angel Armies
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA

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Stained glass began more as a domestic luxury
(dating back to Pompeiian times)
than as the artistic medium it is considered today.


Father, Forgive Them 
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA 

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By the 9th and 10th Centuries
demand for churches increased the demand for stained glass.
and in the 17th century it truly was an accepted art form.


Stained Glass Artisan
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA 

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Life for stained glass has been a rough ride.
From its origins and through most of the gothic period
it enjoyed growing popularity.


The Artisan's Tools
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA 

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However, the 16th Century brought restrictions on religious imagery,
forcing glass artisans to seek secular commissions.
In addition, wars and religious upheavals saw the destruction
of much glasswork in churches and monasteries.

Stained Glass Artisan
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA

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Amid this destruction,
growing Renaissance styles favored murals, frescoes and enamels.
The methods of this artistry became a lost art
until its revival in the 19th century.
Informational Source


Shades of Grey 
Grisaille Glazing 
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA 

Once again, I am left to wonder at a culture 
that deliberately destroyed such beauty.  


Swirls of Grey
Grisaille Glazing 
Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA 

Sadly, history does repeat itself.

Leaflets 

Glencairn, Huntingdon Valley, PA 

At least today, 

we can enjoy a replication of what was lost. 

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Click any photo to go to the complete gallery. 

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Behind the Doors of Glencairn

On Sunday I posted about Intriquing Entrances of Glencairn.
Today, you get a little peek inside those doors.


Stained Glass Window 
Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA 

These beautiful stained glass pieces are
inside what was once the home of
Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn and their children.
They lived in Glencairn between 1939 - 1979.



Stained Glass Window Set 
Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA 

It took nine years to build Glencairn.
And when you see the decorative details
you understand why it took so long.


Peacock Wall Tile Mosaic 
Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA 

From stained glass work,
to tile mosaics and hand carved wood decor,
there was not a detail overlooked.

Hand carved Woodwork 
Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA

This nine story home was also
designed to showcase the
Pitcairn's collections of Medieval antiquities.

 Statue in the Pitcairn Home Library 
Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA 

The Pitcairn patriarch, Raymond's father John Pitcairn,
immigrated from Scotland as a child
and made his fortune in the United States
in the railroad, oil and gas industries.
He went on to found
PPG Industries, a chemical company.
(He only had an elementary school education!)  

Tile Mosaic Ceiling Depicting the Beast of the Apocolypse 
Pitcairn Family Private Chapel 
Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA 

From Scotland
John also brought to the United States
the Swedenborg religion.
When finally settling in Bryn Athyn, PA
there arose a Swedenbogen religious community
around the Pitcairn family.


The Bryn Athyn Cathedral  
Worship center for the Swendenborgen New Church 
Bryn Athyn, PA 

John Pitcairn was a major benefactor
in the construction of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral
between 1913 - 1919.
His son, Raymond, assumed supervision
of the cathedral's construction and subsequent additions.


Hand Carved Bed of Teak Wood 
Master Bedroom, Glencairn, Bryn Athyn, PA 

Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn
donated their home to the
Academy of the New Church
and today it serves as a museum.
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Gosh, I know our society loves to hate on rich folks,
but isn't this the ideal?
From undereducated immigrant
to highly successful businessman and community leader.
The hard work of one benefits many
through jobs, community organizations, and philanthropy.