Sauganash Community Church to rededicate ROSE WINDOW

The Sauganash Community Church will hold a rededication ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 19, for its 50-year-old, circular-shaped stained glass window that has become one of the most recognizable symbols in the area.

Commonly referred to as the “rose window,” it measures about 7 feet in diameter and overlooks the altar in the sanctuary. It is believed that the window replaced a cross that may have been installed when the building was constructed in 1943.

Joy Mason, vice president of the church’s board of directors, said that the window recently received additional notoriety when its design was included in the new mixed-media mosaic murals that are on the walls of the Sauganash trail bike underpass in the 4300 block of West Peterson Avenue. “Our rose window is featured rather prominently on the north side of the mural, and they did a fine job. We’re thrilled,” Mason said.

The window’s design includes several religious symbols. Mason said that the rose represents Jesus, the dove in the middle of the flower stands for the Holy Sprit and the grapes in each of the eight pedals signify ceremonial wine.

In 1963, church member Pearl Rohden donated the window in memory of her husband, Lawrence M. Rohden, whose daughter Donna Rohden Powell plans to attend the rededication ceremony. The ceremony will take place from 6 p.m., followed by a silent auction and social at 6:30 p.m. and dinner at 7:15 p.m.

The church, whose Web site describes its as non-denominational but rooted in Protestant theological tradition, was founded in 1927 and originally was located in a former house at 4600 W. Peterson Ave. An addition was later built to the home, and the church operates a preschool in the building and leases the basement to the Bride of Christ Church.

A donation of $50 is requested for the dinner, and reservations can be made by calling Sauganash Community Church at 773-283-3947.