23/08/2026
Churches we Know. At St. Joseph Catholic Church in Medford, the stained glass windows positioned around the altar and along the sides of the church trace a deliberate theological progression through salvation history and the life of Christ.
Above the Altar
The two primary windows positioned directly above and to the left and right of the altar establish a clear Old-to-New Testament connection regarding the Eucharist:
* Window 1 (Left of Altar): Depicts the Old Testament priest and king of Salem, Melchizedek. He is shown offering bread, wine, and a blessing to Abraham after his military victory. This scene serves as a direct prefiguration of the Eucharist.
* Window 2 (Right of Altar): Depicts the Last Supper, capturing Jesus telling His apostles, “This is my body... This is my blood,” instituting the first Eucharist directly above the modern altar where the sacrifice is re-presented.
Along the Sides (Transept and Walls)
Moving outward from the sanctuary, the side windows unfold the narrative of Christ’s life, ministry, and passion:
* Windows 3 & 4 (Transept): Situated on opposite sides of the transept, these transition the narrative into the early life of Christ, beginning with the Nativity scene featuring Mary, Joseph, and the adoring shepherds beneath the proclamation of the angels.
* The Side Walls (South and North): The lateral walls house windows moving chronologically through key moments of Jesus’ ministry—such as the young Jesus finding His voice among the rabbis in the temple, the Wedding Feast at Cana, and the establishment of church leadership—before moving into the Passion sequence.
* The Passion & Triumph: The side windows continue through the sorrow of the Crucifixion (with Mary and John), the Resurrection with Christ rising from an alabaster sarcophagus, and the Ascension.
Finally, a prominent circular window sits high above the rear choir loft, depicting Christ as the triumphant “Lord of all Lords, and King of all Kings” in royal garments.
