Leaside United Church has magnificent stained glass windows. On Saturday, February 18, the Spirit Alive group undertook a tour of the windows, reflecting on the artistry of each window and its significance in the history of Leaside United Church. Most of the windows date from the 1950s and 1960s and were developed according to a plan prepared under the ministry of Rev. Charles Murray, Leaside’s Minister from 1949 to 1964. These sixteen windows depict the life of Jesus in a clockwise arrangement around the sanctuary. Many of these windows are dedicated to parishioners who were active in the congregation at that time. More recent windows are dedicated to former Leaside United Church ministers, Orville Hossie and Norman Mackenzie and their wives Greta Hossie and Dorothy Mackenzie. The most recent window is dedicated to the memory of Patricia Fitzpatrick by her family.
Of particular note is the spectacular Memorial window overlooking the chancel. 
This window lists the names of nine very young men from Leaside United Church families who perished in World War II. This window was dedicated at Leaside on November 6, 1955 – the Remembrance Day service that took place ten years after the end of the Second World War. Also of note is the large window at the back of the church acquired from Eglinton United Church when that church building was closed following its merger with St. George’s United. The window depicts Christ as “The Light of the World” and replicates a famous 1854 painting by the British pre-Raphaelite artist Holman Hunt.
The tour by the Sprit Alive group gave us a greater appreciation for the beauty that surrounds us at Leaside United Church. For those who are interested, there is a very informative book in the church pews about the windows titled “Windows of Leaside”.
David Phillips
Spirit Alive meets to explore matters of spirituality, meditate, and reflect together. Save the second Saturday morning of the month to meet at 10:00 to noon. Spirit Alive begins with coffee, snacks and fellowship followed by a period of led meditation, music, quiet time and reflection to deepen the sense of the spiritual at the center of one’s life. For more information contact Bea Lawford.
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