Stained glass windows, paintings, and icons were not originally placed in church buildings as decorations. When various items of art were placed in the interior of the buildings, they were received by the members as a means of Christian education.
The use of stained glass has a long tradition in the Church. Besides their lesser decorative and lighting purposes, stained glass windows were used as teaching or catechetical devices through the depiction of scenes from the Bible or key religious symbols. Therefore, stained glass windows were experienced as the Bible in picture form and could then be used by preachers to help a poorly educated, or even illiterate, congregation to understand Scripture and its teachings. Many people came to know the stories of the Bible, and specifically those of our Lord's life, ministry, death, Resurrection, and Ascension, by meditating on the depictions portrayed in the windows. The windows were then used as a source of reflection and prayer afterwards, much as someone today might read a Scripture passage as a source of prayer.
For us today, stained glass windows should also be more than beautiful decorations. We, too, can use the windows to remind ourselves of the stories from Holy Scripture. By meditating on various aspects of the scene, we can discover a new or renewed encounter regarding not only the story but also our Faith.
The stained glass windows within Saint Anne Episcopal Church are nineteenth century German. They were made in Munich at the end of that century (late 1800's) and shipped to a church in New England. When that building was being dismantled, our parish purchased the stained glass windows. As one walks through the church, examining the stained glass windows, you will notice that many of the windows have been given as a memorial gifts.
Below you will find a brief description of each window. The journey will generally travel chronologically through the events of the life of Jesus Christ, beginning with the presentation of Mary at the Temple and concluding with the Feast of Pentecost. After these, the windows depicting several saints of the Church (the Virgin Mary, authors of the Gospels, and Agnes) are described.
Along the left, when entering the Nave from the Narthex, one sees a window pair showing Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-51). It was expected that the students would spend time questioning their Teacher and one sees, at the age of 12, Jesus enjoying the debate. The Rabbis were amazed at His understanding and His answers. A few days along their journey home from Jerusalem, Mary and Joseph discovered that the boy was not there, so they returned to the Temple. They were astonished to find Him in the Temple. He asked, 'Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?'
Within the sanctuary is a double set depicting the presentation of Mary at the Temple. 
Next to the door to the sacristy is the depiction of the Holy Nativity, the birth of Jesus. On the left is the holy family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. To the right are the shepherds who, upon hearing the angel's proclamation, went to see for themselves the birth of this King.
Also in the Nave, one sees a pair of windows depicting the story of Jesus who, upon entering the city of Nain, encountered a funeral procession. A young man had died, leaving his mother with no one to care for her. Jesus told her not to cry and He commanded that the man arise. The young man sat up and began to speak. In this window pair showing the widow of Nain and the raising of her son from the dead, one sees Jesus with an arm stretched out to the son while the other begins to move the mother toward her son, reuniting them (see Luke 7:11-17).
Just on the left when entering the Nave from the Narthex is the window illustrating the trial of Jesus (Matthew 27:1-25, Mark 15:1-15. Luke 23:1-25, John 18: 28 -19:16). Pilate stood before Jesus and His accusers, with no one there to defend the King of the Jews. Pilate saw the angry faces of the crowd and knew he best do as they demanded. Jesus stood with those who wished Him dead. He gives no defense because He offers Himself freely.
In the Gospel According to Matthew we are told that the children were brought to Jesus so that He might lay hands on them and pray for them. The disciples attempted to keep this from happening but Jesus stopped them and commanded that the children be brought to Him (Matthew 19:13-15). This window pair is located in the Nave.
In this window, the Daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 223:27-31), found on the left wall of the Nave, Mary, the mother of our Lord, is shown following her son as He made His journey to death. This journey proceeded from the arrest to the trial and ultimately to burial. This path is often called the Way of the Cross, the Stations of the Cross, or the Via Dolorosa (the Way of Sorrows). With Mary are women who weep for Him. Jesus spoke to them of weeping for themselves and not for Him. He tells them that they face a greater trial in the near future.
Above the choir loft is the depiction of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Jesus was 30 years old when He was baptized. The baptism brought with it the anointing (which is what Christ and Messiah means) of the Holy Spirit. After His baptism, Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted. Upon His return, He began His ministry and journey to Golgotha and the empty tomb (Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-12, Luke 3:21-23).
The window representing the Feast of Pentecost (John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-47) is located on the left wall of the Nave, prior to reaching the Sanctuary. In that window pair, one sees Mary, who, in obedience to Christ, waited with the disciples of Jesus in the upper room and received the Holy Spirit. The Apostles were there, but now only eleven; Judas had left them and a new Apostle had yet to be named (Matthias). Flames of fire appear over the heads of each person, symbolic of the Holy Spirit.
story. The angel's words to Mary were, "Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" The young virgin had found favor with God and would bear the son of God, the Messiah, the savior of the world, Jesus. The word "angel" means messenger" (Luke 1:26-33). An angel appeared to Joseph in the Gospel According to Matthew and announced the identity of the child Mary bore (Matthew 1:18-23).