From the Archives – Skylight of the Lamb of God Triumphant

Located directly above our Basilica’s crucifix, the altar of reposition and the tabernacle, is a beautiful stained-glass skylight given to the church by the Feulner family. Their family name can be seen on the edge of the window. According to an 1881 article published in The Alexandria Gazette about church renovations then being done under the direction of local architect, Philip N. Dwyer, the skylight was newly installed, along with the church’s decorative ceiling.

The skylight depicts the “Lamb of God” triumphant, with a “Cross Bottony” and banner. Found in medieval heraldry, the arms of the Cross Bottony each terminate in three rounded lobes, resembling a trefoil, and is sometimes called a cross trefly. The Cross Bottony appears prominently in the Maryland state flag and was part of Lord Baltimore’s family crest. Maryland was the first American colony where Catholicism could be practiced legally. The Seven Seals described in the Book of Revelation appear beneath the Lamb. (SOURCE: Parish archival materials)

— Kitty Guy, Parish Historian

In 2020, to commemorate the 225th anniversary of our parish, we started “From the Archives” as a weekly feature online and in our bulletin to spotlight the history of Saint Mary’s. Due to its popularity, we are continuing the series. An archive of the features is located here.