05/22/2026
Ever wondered how we got our mural? Or what mysteries it might be hiding? Today we’re rounding off our Ascension Day series on the 20-foot mural above the High Altar.
As you can see in no. 1 (Easter 1949) and no. 3 (c. 1920s), before the mural was installed, we worshipped facing an enormous stained-glass window. You can see a detail of the glass from the Easter shot in no. 4.
The reason for covering the window is not entirely clear, but by 1956 the window was in poor shape and the cost to repair it would have been very high. Perhaps as a practical solution, an anonymous parishioner offered to donate a painting to cover it. In January of that year, the vestry voted unanimously to accept his offer and it was painted in April and May by Jan H. de Rosen. The vestry retained a copy of their thank-you note, which we have in our archives (no. 5).
Jan Henryk De Rosen was one of the great church painters of the 20th century, whose work can be found in churches around the world including Washington National Cathedral, the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence. His work is notable for his deep knowledge of history and religious iconography, which you’ll know all about if you’ve seen our previous posts about the mural!
The painting was dedicated by Bishop Angus Dun on October 28, 1956 in a special consecration service along with both our altars and the altar rails. You can read the prayers he spoke as he blessed the painting in the bulletin from that service (no. 6).
This month marks seventy years since the mural was completed and we are blessed to still have some among us who remember worshipping facing that window. If you run around to the alley behind the church, you’ll see one of the last clues to this part of our past. Because the window is still there; and when the light catches it just right, you can see that glass which once was the glory of the nave, peeking out of the darkness (no. 7).
